Bolton v Everton preview

23 October 2009 11:52
Bolton will be looking to take advantage of an injury-hit Everton at the Reebok on Sunday. The Trotters have been in impressive form of late and prior to the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United last week were in the midst of a five-match unbeaten run. Gary Megson's men performed admirably at Old Trafford and created a number of chances to have been able to steal an unlikely point. Despite their improved form Bolton are still worryingly close to the drop zone with just one point separating them and the relegation places. Bolton will fancy their chances against an Everton side hit hard by injuries and the 5-0 hammering at Benfica in their Europa League match on Thursday will have only wounded them further. However the Toffees will still be confident of taking three points having not lost to Bolton in their last six meetings, winning five, with the Trotters' last win coming way back in 2005. David Moyes' men have been uncharacteristically inconsistent in the league this term following up wins over Blackburn and Portsmouth with two successive home draws against Stoke and Wolves. However Moyes will be pleased that his side have put their dismal start to the season, that saw them lose three of their opening four league games, behind them by going on a four-game unbeaten run in the league. Bolton newsJohan Elmander (hamstring) could return having missed the club's last three games but midfielder Joey O'Brien (knee) looks likely to miss out with the 23-year-old yet to play this season. Defender Andy O'Brien is out having injured his groin and is not expected back until late November. Midfielder Sean Davis remains the only long-term absentee with a knee injury likely to keep him sidelined for the rest of the season. Toffees newsJoseph Yobo is extremely doubtful having suffered concussion against Wolves last weekend. The defender missed the Benfica debacle and looks set to miss out again. Leon Osman was another who didn't travel to Portugal on Thursday after also picking up a knock against Wolves and he could return. Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta (all knee) remain long-term casualties while strikers James Vaughan (knee) and Victor Anichebe (knee) join them on the treatment table. Steven Pienaar (knee) is another doubt but Moyes will have defenders Johnny Heitinga and Lucas Neill available after both were ineligible for Europe. Probable starting XIs: Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Knight, Cahill, Ricketts, Samuel, Gardner, Cohen, Muamba, Taylor, Lee, Davies. Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Cahill, Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov, Rodwell, Saha, Jo.

Source: SKY_Sports