Follow every kick as Bolton Wanderers take on Birmingham City at Reebok Stadium in the Premier League
on 09-May-2010, kick off time 16:00
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City Live
Nine months ago survival would have been foremost in both Bolton and Birmingham City's minds so the fact that there is nothing to play for at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday is cause for celebration in both camps. Bolton have survived despite ditching the unpopular Gary Megson midway through the season and replacing him with Owen Coyle, while Alex McLeish is in the running to be the Premier League's manager of the year after guiding Birmingham in to the top half of the table. Bolton have struggled all season and are fortunate that their 36-point haul has been far too much for the likes of Portsmouth, Hull City, Burnley. Such a tally would have resulted in relegation in past seasons. Birmingham's survival is primarily down to their excellent home form as they have lost only twice at St Andrew's all season - against Aston Villa and Bolton. Since losing to the Trotters in September, McLeish's men have been unbeaten in 15 home matches, drawing against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. Bolton still have a lengthy injury list to contend with as Andy O'Brien (thigh), Stuart Holden (broken leg), Chris Basham, Sean Davis, Joey O'Brien (all knee) and Gavin McCann (ankle) are all currently in the Reebok Stadium treatment room. McLeish has kept faith with his players this season, although he may offer some first-team experience to several youngsters on Sunday. He is expected to be without injured duo Scott Dann (calf) and Garry O'Connor (thigh). Bolton have an excellent home record against the Blues, winning 32 of the 56 contests between the two teams, with the visitors only emerging victorious on seven occasions. The two teams last met at the Reebok Stadium in the Premier League during the 2007-08 campaign when Bolton cruised to a 3-0 victory while, earlier in the campaign at St Andrew's, Chung-Yong Lee netted a late winner for Wanderers in a 2-1 victory.
Source: DSG
