Match Preview

Match Preview: Derby v Bolton

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Is this the day then? Tomorrow, Bolton Wanderers will be finally relegated from the Championship unless they can win their first away game of the season.

And it’s a tough task as well, as the Trotters travel to Derby, who currently occupy a play-off spot and hammered Hull in midweek.

Jimmy Phillips is likely to give quite a few of the academy lads a go, as has been the case since he came in.

Vital Quotes: The Interim Managers

‘The possible consequences of this weekend doesn’t affect our approach. We’ll be as committed and professional as we have been.’

Jimmy Phillips, reassuring the Bolton faithful with that second sentence. Now where’s the freezeframe of Trotter and Wheater?

“We won`t be underestimating Bolton and we will make sure that we prepare properly.’

Darren Wassall, speaking to Derby’s official website . They’ll be doing everything they need to do, which I presume is turning up.

Derby County Team News:

Bradley Johnson is a doubt with a knee knock. He could be replaced by former Wanderers loan signing Jacob Butterfield, Jamie Hanson, or even the return of Will Hughes from his bad injury picked up in the reverse fixture at the Macron in August.

Marcus Olsson also picked up an injury in midweek but the former Blackburn player should be declared fit

Player to watch: Craig Bryson

In a squad that has had money spent on it, one of the key men could actually be a man signed for £400,000 from Kilmarnock. Bryson has returned recently and has helped kick-start Derby’s season when they could have gone into complete freefall.

Bolton Wanderers Team News:

Rob Holding is back from suspension, and Stephen Dobbie could be available after the gash on the head he got last Saturday.

It seems like David Wheater and Liam Trotter won’t necessarily be frozen out after Fingergate, but Mark Davies is ‘touch and go’ with an injury.

Player to watch: Dean Moxey

Only picking him because he’s an ex-Derby player really. Has been awful in recent months though and would be nice if he could pull his finger out.

If he even plays, in a team likely full of youngsters, he needs to step up a lot better than on Tuesday when he left Alex Finney hang out to dry, quite frankly.

Match Facts & Stats

Derby haven’t lost at home to us in the league since 1982.

We did win 2-1 at Pride Park, as it was known then, in our run to the League Cup semis in 1999 though. Fish and Johansen scored the goals.

Bolton’s last win over Derby game in August 2012, with late goals securing a 2-0 win at the Reebok. This is the last time we won a league game in August.

Some bookies are offering 16/1 on a Bolton win. For those who don’t bet, this means if you place a £5 bet, you will lose £5

Match Prediction:

Get your balloons and stuff. The relegation party kicks off a 5pm tomorrow.

I will however, put my neck out and say it won’t be a thrashing. Derby are a bit hot and cold. 2-1 to the Rams.

Next Fixtures:

We have two home games in the space of a few days. Boro next Saturday in front of the Sky Sports cameras, then Charlton visit us.

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