Bolton v Blackburn preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
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Friday 5 October 2018 14:37, UK
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson will again be without first-choice goalkeeper Ben Alnwick for the Lancashire derby with Blackburn.
Alnwick has missed the last two games with a groin problem and is not yet ready to return. Remi Matthews is set to continue in goal. Sammy Ameobi remains sidelined with an ankle injury but Parkinson said the former Newcastle player is making good progress.
Defender Andy Taylor has not played since being forced off through injury against Preston on September 1 but is expected to return after the international break.
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Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the University of Bolton stadium. However, defender Ryan Nambe has a hamstring problem which saw him miss the defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday and is unlikely to be risked.
Rovers welcomed back captain Charlie Mulgrew in midweek as he played his first game since September 15 when coming off the bench at half-time. Derrick Williams started in central defence on his return from a one-match suspension and their return could see Mowbray keep the back three employed during the second half against the Blades.
Opta stats
- Bolton have won their last six home league matches against Blackburn.
- This will be the 155th league meeting between Bolton and Blackburn, who first met in the first Football League season in 1888-89.
- Bolton have picked up just one win from their last seven league games (W1 D2 L4), conceding two or more goals in five of those matches.
- Blackburn are looking to avoid back-to-back league defeats for the first time since August 2017.
- Bolton's Josh Magennis has scored in three of his five home appearances in the Championship this season.
- At 28y 303d, Bolton have the highest average age among starting XIs in the Championship this season.
Prutton's prediction
It's been a mixed week for Bolton as they claimed a massive win over Derby before falling to defeat at Stoke on Tuesday night. You imagine, though, that those types of runs of results will be the story of their season.
Blackburn have slipped back down the table and have just one win in their last six games. They have plenty going forward to trouble Bolton, but I cannot split these two. Score draw.
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
