This is a classic relegation six-pointer and with both sides largely struggling at the moment, the match is a great opportunity for one of the teams to kick-start their season and boost their survival hopes. Bolton are in a more difficult situation of the two and they are, therefore, expected to take the game to their opponents.

Bolton not showing all they’ve got

Some of you may not be surprised to see Bolton fighting for their lives, but I have certainly expected more from the Trotters, especially following some impressive performances in the previous Premier League campaign. The squad did suffer some changes since as Owen Coyle stayed without Elmander, Cahill and Sturridge, but they signed some decent replacements and once again boast a very good side. Following the slow start to the season, Bolton did manage to show a lot of improvement at the turn of the year, but the team are now going through a very rough patch and desperately need a victory to kick-start their season. Difficult fixture list is one of the reasons for the latest four-match losing run and I still believe the Trotters have enough quality to save their season. The arrival of Ryo Miyaichi has given the team a much needed boost in the creative department, and with Martin Petrov and Chris Eagles expected to return to the side, Bolton look like they can finally end the dismal run of results.

Kevin Davies returns to the side from a knee injury, but Marcos Alonso was granted a leave of absence and he is unlikely to feature.

Valuable point against Everton

Queens Park Rangers are one of five teams expected to enter the survival fight and they are currently above the bottom three only on goal difference. Just like Bolton, the Rangers are struggling for form at the moment, having picked up just two points from last five league games. Boasting a completely different team to that which ensured promotion to the Premier League, QPR are still trying to act as a team, rather than a group of talented individuals. Changing the manager midway through the season certainly did not help the team gel, and new boss Mark Hughes appears to have problems getting the maximum out of his players. Queens Park Ranger produced a decent performance to hold Everton to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road, but having failed to win any of their last eight away games, the Rs could face a difficult task at Reebok Stadium.

Djibril Cisse and Samba Diakite return from suspension, but Heidar Helguson, Kieron Dyer and Alejandro Faurlin remain sidelined.

Verdict

There are no doubts we will see a very interesting match between two out-of-form sides, but I just can’t help but feel Bolton are going to edge this one. The Trotters boast a very good squad and work well as a team, and I believe they can be trusted to record what would be a very important victory.

Our prediction: Bolton Draw no bet

Odds: 1.80 (4/5)

Bookmaker: BetVictor