It’s the most wonderful time of the year, apparently. It won’t be if we don’t beat Southend.
Easily the worst team in this division, they just stayed up last season, and this term are averaging one point for every three games they play. Without checking they could easily be on course to be one of the worst third-tier sides ever.
So, it goes without saying that is a massive game for Bolton, that we need to be winning if we’re to set ourselves up for an assault on the teams in and around the relegation zone.
🎥 On camera. Wanderers boss Keith Hill previews this weekend's clash against @SUFCRootsHall in @SkyBetLeagueOne.
Full interview 👉🏻 https://t.co/hqD0RZbi5o#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/CVeKGGWQnU
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) December 19, 2019
Team news
Hard to guess, but I reckon Wanderers might switch to a back four again after the three man defence deployed at Peterborough. Southend will hope to have forward Tom Hopper back, while their manager Sol Campbell seems to have settled on and is happy with a midfield three of Mark Milligan (a player linked with us in the past), Sam Mantom and Jason Demetriou.
Stats and facts
Southend have picked up just seven points from 21 games this season, we’re much closer to picking up a point per game, but have just the 14 points if you take away the deduction – either way these are still the two teams who have picked up the fewest points this season.
Bolton are unbeaten in three home league games, after wins against Fleetwood and MK Dons, and a draw with Wimbledon. It’s one defeat in seven at the Unibol since Keith Hill took over. Southend have just one league win all season, but that came on the road at MK Dons in September.
We last hosted Southend in September 2016, when Keshi Anderson equalised in a 1-1 draw.
Prediction
We’ve got to win this surely, although it does scream both teams to score. 2-1 to Bolton.