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Bolton logo
Championship
Jan 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Wolves logo

2-2

Clough (23', 25')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Dicko (3'), Henry (95')

Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between Bolton Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be hoping that other results go their way before they face Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium on Saturday.

Sixth-placed Watford face an away tie against leaders Bournemouth on Friday night, while fifth-placed Brentford also have a tricky match against high-flying Middlesbrough in Saturday's early kickoff.

It could be the case, then, that the two teams directly above Wolves in the Championship table would have dropped points before they even begin their own match, and Kenny Jackett will hope to capitalise on any slip-ups.

Wolves would not be able to climb into the playoff places this weekend due to their vastly inferior goal difference to the teams above them, but victory coupled with a Watford defeat would leave them level on points with the Hornets.

It could have been even better had they not been held to a goalless draw by Charlton Athletic last weekend, although that result did extend their unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches.

They have won five of those seven games and conceded just two goals in the process, with five clean sheets since their loss to Bournemouth at the start of December.

Of particular note is Wolves' fine form away from home recently. They have picked up a maximum nine points from nine in their last three league games on the road, while a goalless draw with Fulham in the FA Cup means that it is also four consecutive away clean sheets for the Midlands outfit.

Jackett admitted that his side were short of ideas up front during the match against Charlton, which could lead to him naming both Benik Afobe and Nouha Dicko in the side this weekend.

The in-demand Bakary Sako will return from the Africa Cup of Nations early due to his Mali side missing out on a place in the quarter-finals following the drawing of lots against Guinea, but at best he will be on the bench for the trip to Bolton.

Neil Lennon will be hoping that Tuesday's defeat to Rotherham United was a blip rather than a sign of his side taking their eye off the ball with Wednesday's FA Cup replay against Liverpool looming large.

Having defended stubbornly to hold the Premier League side to a goalless draw at Anfield last weekend, Bolton found themselves four goals down within an hour against the Millers before two strikes in the final 15 minutes salvaged some respect from the loss.

It was only Bolton's second defeat in their last 14 games and the first time that they had conceded more than two goals in a match under Lennon.

The Trotters remain unbeaten at the Macron with the former Celtic boss at the helm, however, winning six of their eight matches in all competitions and keeping clean sheets in half of those games.

They have edged away from trouble as a result and could climb into the top half of the table this weekend should other results go their way.

Bolton boast an impressive record at home to Wolves in recent seasons, winning seven and losing none of their last 10 meetings here.

The hosts have a number of injury concerns, with Craig Davies, Mark Davies, Kevin McNaughton and Max Clayton all struggling. Emile Heskey, meanwhile, is out with a hamstring injury, so new loan signing Adam le Fondre may start.

Bolton:

Form in Championship: WWLDWL
Form in all competitions: LWDWDL

Possible starting lineup: Lonergan; Vela, Dervite, Mills, Ream; Danns, Pratley, Trotter, Feeney; Gudjohnsen, Le Fondre

Wolves:

Form in Championship: DWWWWD
Form in all competitions: WDWLWD

Possible starting lineup: Ikeme; Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Iorfa; Edwards, McDonald, Van la Parra, Afobe, Henry; Dicko

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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