Had your fill of turkey, mince pies, christmas pud and all that’s left in the Quality Street box are those purple ones with the nuts in the middle. Then rejoice, for football is here. So, crack open a cold one, settle in front of Jeff and The Boys and remember you’ve not got work until at least Wednesday.
(Alternatively you could go to the game)
Vital Quotes:
‘Preparation is extremely important in the Premier League so the players will be in on Christmas Day. The players are well rewarded in the summer when they have five or six weeks off and although everbody wants to be with their families, we have an important game against a very good West Brom side that love to get the ball down and play.’ Nicest man in football has a ruthless streak shocker.
‘Owen Coyle has got them playing a mixture of styles. They`ve still got a bit of old Bolton about them with long throws and big Kevin Davies holding the ball up. But they have also started popping the ball around and playing good football, so they`ve got all the ingredients to be a good side. A lot of people are surprised, but I know a lot of the players here aren`t too surprised because we know what a tough game they gave us when they came here.’ Scott Carson. He speaks to Paul Robinson on a regular basis too.
‘Wotsamatteryouhey’. Roberto di Matteo. No lazy Italian stereotypes here.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Mark Davies is back from suspension but expect Muamba and Holden to retain the central midfield berth. This is Lee Chung-Yong’s last game until South Korea get knocked out of the Asian Cup, so expect him to start on the right, leading to a metaphorical punch up between Petrov and Taylor.
Player to watch: Lee Chung-Yong
As mentioned, this could be the Korean’s last game until February, so he should be well up for the match. On his day he is as good a right winger as there is in the Premier League so run your damn socks off Mr Lee and leave us with some memories as we go through January without you.
West Bromwich Albion Team News:
West Brom have no injury worries with Peter Odemwingie returning.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie
West Brom’s leading scorer caused us some problems in the game at The Hawthorns and you would expect a man who has played in a Russian winter to not let a little thing like a stiff breeze coming off Winter Hill bother him.
Match Facts & Stats
Of the 131 games played between the clubs, T’Wanderers hold a 46-42 advantage. In the Premier League it’s been a draw fest, with both teams winning just one of the nine games we have played each other. Bolton’s only win was the 2-0 victory in 2005-06.
Way back in the day, David Jack scored more goals than any other Wanderers player in the fixture and his figure of nine still stands today. Eight players have scored one goal for T’Trotters in the Premier League.
Ref Watch:
Big Howard Webb takes charge of his third Bolton game of the season, the others being the draw at Wigan and the demolition of Newcastle. In those two games he has booked Cahill, Robinson and Lee.
Match Prediction:
2-0 to the Wanderers as a late Christmas treat and a start to getting the credit cards paid off.
Next Fixtures:
An easy couple of games follow this one, the first being a trip to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.