Bolton fulfil their game in hand tomorrow night with a trip abroad to take on Cardiff City. Let`s get the main narrative out of the way first – it`ll be the first time we face Gary Madine since his transfer deadline day move to South Wales. That`s of he does play – more on that later. But he`s yesterday`s man now, and it`s up to the players we have now to find out some way of securing a result. With Cardiff turning things around of late, it`s a game we`ll be second favourites for, but a win would see us go up to 18th place, and within three points of Saturday`s opponents QPR. Nosebleed territory.
Vital Quotes:
“We look forward to seeing Gaz down there but hopefully we can concentrate on what we`ve got to do defensively and do a good job on him if he`s starting.”
Phil Parkinson, speaking to the official website.
Cardiff City Team News:
Gary Madine broke his nose on Friday at Millwall, not after getting lost somewhere in Bermondsey we should add. Anyway, he could be a doubt. There are no injury or suspension doubts for Cardiff apart from that.
Player to watch: Junior Hoilett
We`ve rightly talked a lot about Madine, but who else should we watch? Junior Hoilett has been around a bit now. Two relegations from the Premier League with Blackburn and QPR, but he has done well since moving to Cardiff, and his pace and trickery will make him a threat tomorrow.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Will Adam Le Fondre come in for Zach Clough? That`s the only change I can see from Saturday.
Player to watch: Adam Le Fondre
Let`s pick ALF. It was a wonderful goal against Fulham on Saturday. Now, prior to Madine leaving, I unapologetically had no problem with Le Fondre with being left out. Unfortunately for him, the 4-2-3-1 was working more often than not, and Madine playing in that slot worked. Now with a change of system, that opens up another spot up front and I`d hope he takes any opportunity he gets.
Match Facts & Stats
We can score in our tenth consecutive league game against Cardiff, a run stretching from 1989.
We have played three games at the Cardiff City Stadium, drawing our first in 2013, winning in 2015, and then losing on our last visit in 2016.
Bolton have picked up the fewest away points in the Championship (8), and the third fewest shots on target on the road (41)
Match Prediction:
As far as I`m concerned this is a free hit, I can`t see us getting anything out of a tough away game. They`re all tough for us I suppose. 2-0 to Cardiff.
Next Fixtures:
Two very big games, we travel to QPR on Saturday, before a six-pointer at home to Sunderland on Tuesday.