MX23RW : Monday, November 25 23:37:56| >> :120:29820:29820:
[monks data]
Bolton logo
Championship
Oct 24, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Leeds logo

1-1

Ameobi (32')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Antenucci (71' pen.)

Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United.

Steve Evans will hope to pick up his first victory as Leeds United manager when the struggling Yorkshire side take on bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium on Saturday.

However, his counterpart Neil Lennon is also looking for only his team's second win of the season as they try to boost their own push for survival.


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

Days before their clash with high-flying Birmingham City, Lennon suggested that his squad was too good to be at the foot of the Championship.

However, his words failed to inspire his troops as they subsequently lost to the Blues, albeit thanks to a solitary goal from Paul Robinson.

Despite their narrow defeat against Birmingham, Bolton boast the worst goal difference and the least potent attack in the division.

While their defence has also let in 19 goals this season, only five of those have come at the Macron Stadium, but that home defensive record has not translated into victories, with only one win in the league this term.

Their hopes of survival were done no favours when striker Wellington Silva was ruled out until at least the New Year, due a hamstring injury picked up against Birmingham.

Bolton have managed to hang on to midfielder Liam Trotter after a proposed loan switch to Nottingham Forest fell through, although recent reports suggest that the deal could be back on.

Recent form: DLDLLL


Leeds United

Steve Evans, manager of Rotherham United, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United at Loftus Road on August 22, 2015© Getty Images

Newly-appointed Leeds boss Steve Evans is certainly not lacking in self-confidence, saying that his footballing CV "maybe warrants a bigger opportunity" and even told Whites fans to "get ready for winning football".

His first game in charge did not start well, after Moussa Dembele put Fulham ahead, but a Chris Wood penalty did at least give the Yorkshiremen a share of the spoils.

However, the Whites have struggled for victories, drawing five of their first six games before losing four of the last five league fixtures.

Evans will also need to make his team more threatening going forward. Only Forest, Preston North End and Bolton have scored fewer goals this season.

The Scottish coach has demanded time to restore Leeds to former glories, but the future of United owner Massimo Cellino has been cast into further doubt after he was disqualified from owning the club by the Football League.

That suspension has led to the Leeds United Supporter's Trust calling for Cellino to sell his stake in the Whites.

Recent form: LWLLLD


Team News

Wellington Silva during a pre season friendly match between Leyton Orient and an Arsenal XI at the Matchroom Stadium on July 30, 2013© Getty Images

As mentioned, Wanderers forward Wellington Silva will be sidelined with a hamstring problem until the end of the calendar year.

His absence is likely to put greater pressure on Emile Heskey and Gary Madine for goals, but Lennon could turn to youngster Kaiyne Woolery to support those two in attack.

Meanwhile, Wood could be a doubt for the visitors after limping out of the 1-1 draw with Fulham, six minutes after scoring his team's equaliser.

Stuart Dallas should feature up front for United, while Scott Wootton will hope to regain his place in the starting lineup after being named on the bench against the Cottagers.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Amos; Derik, Wheater, Dervite, Casado, Feeney, Davies, Pratley, Woolery, Heskey, Madine

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Wootton, Cooper, Bamba, Berardi; Adeyemi, Cook, Mowatt, Botaka; Dallas, Buckley


Head To Head

Both sides have won their fair share of the previous 55 encounters, but in recent years, it has been the Whites who have enjoyed the better of things.

Of the last six meetings between the teams, Leeds have won three and drawn two, with only one defeat in that time.

However, that solitary defeat was one of United biggest home losses in recent times, after Andre Moritz came off the bench to cap off a 5-1 win for the Trotters at Elland Road.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bolton 1-1 Leeds

Both teams are out of form; Bolton have drawn four of six at home, while Leeds have drawn of their five on the road. With those statistics, it would be hard to bet against this one ending all square.



ID:253669: cacheID:253669:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10079:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steve Evans, manager of Rotherham United during the Pre Season Friendly match between Rotherham United and Nottingham Forest at The New York Stadium on July 23, 2014
Read Next:
Evans: 'Leeds fans should be proud'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!