Bolton v Newcastle – Match preview.
Posted on November 19th, 2010 | 38 Comments |
Neither side spent more than £5 million over the course of the summer transfer window, yet both sides sit in the top-half of the table a third of the way through the campaign.
Bolton have been playing some great stuff in recent weeks, and it’s a far cry from what used to be served up at The Reebok under Sam Allardyce. Owen Coyle is doing a magnificent job in transforming the image of Bolton Wanderers in the eyes of the nation, and they have gone from being known as long-ball cloggers to being recognised as a decent footballing side, which is much better to watch, and I am sure that the Bolton fans will agree.
Andy Carroll looks set to start tomorrow after coming through the England game in midweek without aggravating his groin injury. And it could be Shola Ameobi who partners him in attack as the striker has recovered from his hamstring injury in time for the trip to Bolton.
Alan Smith is likely to deputise for the suspended Cheick Tiote, and I expect that Danny Guthrie will deputise for the suspended Joey Barton again. I’ll have a stab at guessing the team, which I think will look like:
Newcastle – Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Danny Guthrie, Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll.
Fabrice Muamba is a doubt for home side tomorrow after he withdrew from U21 international duty in midweek with a thigh injury, although it wouldn’t surprise me if he is fit enough to play tomorrow. Bolton will definately be without JLoyd Samuel, Joey O’Brien, Ricardo Gardner and Sean Davis though as they are all still out injured.
Bolton’s last match was an entertaining 3-2 win away at Wolves where they lined up with a team of;
Bolton – Jussi Jaaskelainen, Sam Ricketts, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Paul Robinson, Lee Chung-Yong, Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Holden, Matt Taylor, Kevin Davies, Johann Elmander.
Newcastle don’t fare to well at The Reebok in general and have lost six of their last seven matches at the home of The Trotters, and if Bolton can extend that winning run against Newcastle tomorrow they will notch their 1,000th top-flight win.
If Bolton are to acheive that feat they will have to beat the best away team in the league. That’s right! In a rather bizarre scenario, Newcastle have been largely excellent away from home this season and will be looking to secure their fourth away win in five games.
It will be a tough game again tomorrow, as they all are, but Newcastle have to believe they can go to an in-form Bolton Wanderers and take some points away from them. Unfortunately, I don’t share that belief and I believe that Newcastle will suffer defeat tomorrow.
My prediction: Bolton 2-0 Newcastle.
Howay the lads!
Date – Saturday, 20th November, 2010.
Kick-off – 3:00pm.
Venue – The Reebok Stadium, Bolton, Lancashire.
id like to see campbell get a game the morrer