West Ham make the trip to Bolton hoping to end a miserable record of defeats away at the Reebok Stadium.
Coming off the back of a 1-1 home draw to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, West Ham have only lost one game in ten matches, in all competitions – to the hands of Premier League champions Man Utd.
Bolton, on the other hand, have won one of their last seven Premier League encounters and are looking down the table rather than up.
Vital Quotes:
Gianfranco Zola on the tough clash at Bolton:
‘It’s going to be a tough match but we are going there to get the three points.
‘At the beginning of the season we were looking to improve on last season and so far we are right there.
‘As soon as we get the first target out of the way, it is important, if we have games left, to achieve something more.’
Quotes courtesy of BBC Sport.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Johan Elmander and Gavin McCann are again available for selection for Bolton having both recently returned from injury.
Tamir Cohen and Nicky Hunt also return for The Trotters.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel, K Davies, McCann, Basham, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Cohen, Makukula, Puygrenier, Obadeyi, Al Habsi, M Davies, Smolarek, Riga, Hunt, Elmander.
Player to watch: Kevin Davies
The big Bolton centre-forward may not be prolific in front of goal but has a good goalscoring record against West Ham.
Hammers Team News:
Captain Lucas Neill is suspended, Luis Boa Morte is forced out of selection because of a groin problem and Carlton Cole is out for the next two weeks.
With Cole injured, Savio Nsereko, Freddie Sears or Diego Tristan could start up front with David Di Michele.
West Ham: Green, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Collison, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Kovac, Spector, Sears, Nsereko, Tristan, Tomkins, Dyer, Dixon.
Player to watch: Herita Ilunga
Contributed a shining display against Middlesbrough last Saturday and seems to improve more each game he plays in.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton will be looking to record a sixth successive home win against West Ham.
Ref Watch:
Steve Tanner (Somerset).
Match Prediction:
Bolton to come through on top. West Ham face a tricky run of upcoming fixtures, including Bolton on Saturday, Middlesbrough away in the FA Cup and face an unpredictable Man City side in our next home game.
Next Fixtures:
Middlesbrough (a)
Wednesday, 25th February 2009, 20:10
The Riverside Stadium
FA Cup Fifth Round Replay
