It’s been another weird week in the world of Bolton Wanderers, with Laurence Bassini seeming near enough to a takeover now where he seems happy to do the interviews and has popped up at the ground. He just needs to go through the rigorous EFL Owners and Directors’ Test, which involves checking for a pulse, and maybe that he hasn’t murdered anyone.
On the field, we probably will be relegated tomorrow, demotion will be confirmed if (or when) we lose to Aston Villa. A draw won’t be enough unless one of Millwall (at home to Brentford) or Wigan (away to Leeds) lose, while even a win won’t be good enough to stay up with Millwall and Wigan also win. That all-London clash is also an earlier kick-off, so we’ll know one of the caveats before we get underway. Not sure why I’m going into this much detail, it’ll come at some point, if not tomorrow.
Team news
Sammy Ameobi and Craig Noone are new injury doubts. Phil Parkinson has suggested players who haven’t had as much of an opportunity may get a go, which means either they’ve sort of given up, or they’re just being realistic.
Facts and stats
Bolton need just one more loss for us to have the most losses in a single season in the club’s history.
Last season saw us beat Villa 1-0 thanks to an Adam Le Fondre goal, played in a literal snowstorm. We don’t have Le Fondre anymore and we certainly won’t be getting the weather tomorrow either.
The reverse fixture saw us lose 2-0 at Villa Park at the start of November.
Bolton have won just one of their last five home games, losing the other four. Villa have won four and drawn one of their last five away games, since losing to Brentford in mid-February.
Prediction
Relegation party. 0-3