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Bolton logo
Championship
Nov 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Bristol City

0-0

FT

Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Bristol City

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Bolton Wanderers and Bristol City.

Bolton Wanderers will hope to move out of the Championship relegation zone when they take on fellow strugglers Bristol City at the Macron Stadium.

However, the Robins are looking to climb the table themselves and will try to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.


Bolton Wanderers

Neil Lennon the manager of Bolton Wanderers looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at Ewood park on August 28, 2015© Getty Images

A few weeks ago, Wanderers boss Neil Lennon suggested that his side were too good to be in the bottom three, but the Northern Irishman was in no mood to echo those comments after the 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.

He claimed that his team lacked physicality in the second half and were punished for giving away possession easily, a symptom of the Trotters' performances in the latter period of recent games.

Indeed, Bolton would be five points better off and out of the relegation zone if matches finished at half time, which would appear to illustrate a side struggling after the interval.

Nevertheless, Wanderers' biggest problem has been a lack of goals, with the Lancashire club currently boasting the least potent attack in the division - scoring 10 compared to Fulham's 27.

Bolton also have one of the worst defences in the Championship, conceding 22 goals in 15 games, although they have only let in six at home this term.

However, despite his team's poor start to the season, Lennon has vowed to "fight it out" and has dismissed notions that he has lost the dressing room.

Recent form: LLLDDL


Bristol City

Bristol City Manager Steve Cotterill during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Reading at Ashton Gate on September 19, 2015© Getty Images

City boss Steve Cotterill was keen not to rest on his laurels after his side beat promotion hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek and is already eyeing back-to-back victories.

The Robins are still just outside the relegation zone, but have lost only two of their last six games in the league.

However, while Cotterill has suggested that he is looking up the league rather than down, he also remains realistic about City's prospects.

That realism could be down to his team's defensive record, with only Rotherham United having conceded more this season.

City do at least have a reasonably potent attack, with 17 goals since the start of the campaign and scoring in six of their last seven matches.

Cotterill may also feel that upcoming games against Hull City and Derby County are a chance to show that the Robins are more than a team fighting off relegation.

Recent form: DWLDLW


Team News

Liam Feeney of Bolton Wanderers during the Pre Season Friendly match between Bolton Wanderers and Vitesse Arnhem at the Macron Stadium on August 3, 2014© Getty Images

Bolton will probably be without Mark Davies, but Gary Madine could start again after returning to the starting lineup against Ipswich.

Liam Feeney and Jay Spearing needed late fitness tests to play at Portman Road, but should be in contention to face the Robins.

Meanwhile, Cotterill has confirmed that Bristol City will definitely be without Scott Wagstaff, who is continuing his path towards full fitness.

After Jonathan Kodjia's match-winning goal in midweek, it is likely that the former Angers frontman will continue in attack, with Kieran Agard possibly keeping his place in up front, at the expense of Aaron Wilbraham.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Amos; Gouano, Dervite, Wheater, Casado; Feeney, Vela, Spearing, Pratley, Clayton; Madine

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding; Bennett, Ayling, Flint, Baker; Williams, Smith, Pack, Freeman, Agard; Kodjia


Head To Head

City have had the better of previous encounters with Wanderers, winning 25 of 57 matches, but the Trotters boast a more promising recent record.

Since December 1986, Bolton have lost only three times to the Robins, with those defeats all coming during the 1990s.

The last meeting between the pair at the Macron Stadium saw Wanderers edge a five-goal thriller, thanks to goals from Chris Eagles, Spearing and Martin Petrov, back in October 2012.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bolton 0-2 Bristol City

Bolton have continued to struggle for form, despite Lennon's suggestions that his team are too good to be at the bottom. City's recent wins against Forest and Wolves suggest that they are capable of picking up another victory in the North-West.



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Neil Lennon the manager of Bolton Wanderers looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at Ewood park on August 28, 2015
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