Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United - Follow LIVE text commentary

15 December 2009 20:00
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United

Follow every kick as Bolton Wanderers take on West Ham United at Reebok Stadium in the Premier League
on 15-Dec-2009, kick off time 20:00

Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United Live

Match Preview

Bolton Wanderers will be wanting to twist the knife into Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United side with a victory at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday night as both teams struggle at the foot of the Premier League table. The Trotters grabbed an impressive 3-3 draw with Manchester City at the weekend with Ivan Klasnic at the double and Gary Cahill smashing home for Gary Megson's men and they will be buoyed by their performance against this season's big-spenders.

Megson may be disappointed that his side led on three separate occasions before being pegged back by ten-man City. Bolton sit second from bottom and the Hammers hover just one place above them as the fight to avoid the drop gathers pace. The Lancashire club are currently on a dismal run after picking up just two points from a possible 18 since their 3-2 home win against Everton on October 25.

During this bleak streak they have conceded a massive 17 goals. Zola's men have lost their last two games following a 1-0 reversal at Birmingham City over the weekend and they need to get back to winning ways if they are to move away from the relegation dogfight. Dean Ashton has announced his retirement from the game after failing to recover from a long-standing ankle injury while Zavon Hines, Valon Behrami and Carlton Cole (all knee), Matthew Upson (hamstring), Calum Davenport (thigh) and Luis Boa Morte (cruciate ligament) are all likely to be missing for the Londoners.

Bolton will still be without the services of long-term knee victims Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien as they prepare to face Wigan Athletic, Burnley and Hull City over the festive period. The Hammers haven't won at Bolton for nine games and last season's fixture ended in a 2-1 win for the hosts. Matthew Taylor scored with an inch-perfect free-kick and Kevin Davies tucked home from close range early in the game before Scott Parker's effort midway through the second period gave them some hope but their challenge eventually petered out.

Source: DSG