Crystal Palace v Bolton preview: Sam Allardyce set to make changes
Tuesday 17 January 2017 19:38, UK
Sam Allardyce will be hoping to register his first victory as Crystal Palace manager against Sky Bet League One side Bolton in a FA Cup third-round replay.
Palace are without a win since Allardyce took over and are only one points above the drop zone in the Premier League.
Bolton, who are third in League One, held Palace to a 0-0 draw at the Macron Stadium earlier this month and Allardyce has laid down the gauntlet to his players.
"The team for tomorrow night. If they don't win, they're saying they're League One players for me, not Premier League players," Allardyce said.
"They're playing a League One team who are playing very, very well, who are really well drilled, who are really well organised.
"But the team out there with a lot of Premier League experience can't beat that on their own ground it tells me a lot about those players."
Team news
Allardyce will again name a weakened team, with one eye on Saturday's Premier League game with Everton.
Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako are both on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Scott Dann is to be rested.
Steve Mandanda is yet to return to training after surgery, a hamstring injury has ruled out Fraizer Campbell, James McArthur has been sent for a scan after suffering a fresh injury, and Pape Souare, Jordon Mutch and Connor Wickham are all long-term absentees, restricting Allardyce's options.
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson has to make a decision on whether to rest any players for the trip to Selhurst Park..
Josh Vela and James Henry played at the weekend after illness and a thigh problem respectively and could be rested.
Captain Darren Pratley is close to return to the squad after his broken leg.
Opta stats
The Eagles have been eliminated in eight of their last 11 FA Cup replays.
Bolton have won three of their four FA Cup third-round replays against teams from a higher division, including each of the last three (all against Premier League sides).
Palace have lost only one of their last 10 FA Cup games against teams from the third tier or below (W7 D2).
The Wanderers’ last nine FA Cup away games have produced only one defeat (W5 D3), with four of those wins coming against top-flight opponents.
Charlie's prediction
Palace have to win to build some momentum and I think they will get a comfortable victory, even though you'd expect Sam Allardyce to make a few changes again.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
