Bolton are desperate to return to winning ways after losing three straight games to title contenders and they won’t get many better opportunities for a home win than this one. Norwich City are still struggling to cope with the demands of the Premiership and with two points from four games they remain one of the main candidates for the drop.

Difficult fixture list

Owen Coyle have done a great job since coming to Reebok Stadium, with Bolton finally becoming a joy to watch, while remaining a very competitive side. Following some very impressive showings last term, the boss experienced big problems at the start of the season, with injuries to Lee Chung-Yong, Stuart Holden, Marcos Alonso and Tyrone Mears only adding to worries after Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge had left the club. However, that didn’t stop the Trotters from beating QPR 4:0 away on the opening day of the season, while the team even showed some promise in defeats to City, Liverpool and United. The game against Norwich is a perfect opportunity to return to winning ways as it is highly unlikely that inexperienced Canaries will be able to cope with Trotters’ superior quality and traditionally strong performance at home.

The hosts are still without Lee, Alonso, Ricketts and Mears, but Stuart Holden is back in contention, as are new signings Gael Kakuta, Tuncay Sanli and David Ngog.

Norwich in problems

Even before the season started Norwich were considered to be main candidates for the drop and the Canaries have done little to prove the doubters wrong. Paul Lambert’s side had a pretty easy fixture list at the start of the league campaign, which makes their two points from four games even more disappointing result, while 4:0 home defeat to MK Dons in the Carling Cup really speaks for itself. It is more than evident that the Canaries lack the quality as well as experience required to play at this level and I really don’t see how they will survive the trip to Bolton, or even this season for that matter. Norwich City look to be inferior to Bolton in every aspect of the game and it is highly unlikely that even defence-minded approach will help them get something from Reebok Stadium.

Defenders Zak Whitbread, Daniel Ayala and Elliot Ward are all sidelined, while James Vaughan is a doubt with a facial injury.

Verdict

Heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester United are unlikely to leave a big effect on Bolton as the Trotters are confident enough to know they can easily beat Norwich at their own ground. The Canaries are already under pressure, having taken just two points from four games, and they clearly don’t have what it takes to get something from this match.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.83 (5/6)

Bookmaker: William Hill

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