Bolton vs Manchester United Match Preview
Bolton lost 2-0 to Everton at Goodison Park at the weekend. It was the Trotters’ second loss out of their last five games and they now sit in 14th place, two points ahead of Wolves and three behind Sunderland.
Bolton’s home record hasn’t been at all bad lately. They’ve gone six games undefeated at home with four wins in those six.
But this weekend it’s Manchester United who come a-calling. This is a home fixture of a different sort for the Bolton fans, for whom a game against United is a local derby.
Last time out against United at Old Trafford Bolton lost 2-1 but they fairly assaulted the United goal in a spirited outing.
Gretar Steinsson is suspended for the United match while manager Owen Coyle’s other choices will be curtailed through injuries. Stuart Holden, Sean Davis, Gavin McCann, Chris Bashem and Joey O’Brien are out or doubtful.
Injuries affect Manchester United too. Welbeck, Owen, Anderson, de Laet, Hargreaves, and Wes Brown all appear on the disabled list.
Now in first place and leading Chelsea by a point, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had what must have felt like a ton weight lifted off his chest at the weekend as Chelsea failed to grab all three points against Blackburn Rovers and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
It was just the kind of wobble United hoped Chelsea would have and now the challenge for Sir Alex and his men is to avoid doing likewise in the remaining games of the season.
Although normal circumstances would suggest that United should take the three points against a club in Bolton’s position in the league, the derby-like atmosphere of Saturday’s match will be a wild card.
