Latics Vs Bolton Preview

Latics face Bolton Wanderers tonight, weather permitting, in what has become a must win game for both sides.

Roberto Martinez is looking over his shoulder now with the Latics just two points and two places outside the bottom 3, a win will lift his side up to the mid table comfort zone of 11th

Gary Megson on the overhand finds himself in a familiar position around Christmas time, sat in the Premier League bottom three, a draw for the Trotters though would see them leap frog Hull and a win would get Bolton up to 15th and above both us and Everton.

The big talking point though is the weather and there is an inspection of the DW Stadium approach roads and car parks with a decision set to be made at midday whether to postpone or proceed with the game.

Ltics boss Roberto Martinez:

'If you look at their last two games, they've shown they can put in good performances and take points off anyone'

'They're a side that can adapt to the opposition, who are very solid, well organised and who can score from nothing.

'They've the magic of Lee (Chung-yong) and (Ivan) Klasnic coming alive at the right time, so they are a real threat as a team.

'It probably suits them at times to be labelled as a team who people don't know what to expect and that makes them a very dangerous side.'

Bolton boss Gary Megson

"They are very similar to everyone else in the bottom half of the table, inconsistent to the extremes"

"They have gone from being one of the few teams that has beaten Chelsea, and playing as well as they did on that day, to a few weeks later going down to Tottenham and get on the end of a 9-1.

"And yet they have shown resilience after that too. You would think a result like that would have a huge effect on the club`s confidence going forward but it doesn`t seem to have done. They played ever so well last week against Stoke."

Momo Diame is out with a knee injury otherwise ts a full strngt squad.

Latics probable

Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Scharner, Thomas, Gomez, Rodallega, Scotland

Charlie has been Latics most consistent performer this season

Muamba is suspended and McCann is injured

Former Latics target and the Croatia international appears to be settling in well to the Premier League

Latics and Bolton have met 29 times previously.

Latics have 13 wins, Bolton 10, draws 6

Last Five Meetings:

02/05/09 - Premier League - Latics 0 Bolton 0
28/12/09 - Premier League - Bolton 0 Latics 1
16/03/08 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 0
09/12/07 - Premier League - Bolton 4 Latics 1
07/04/07 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 3

Alan Wiley (Staffs)

Meet the ref article here

Heart says 1-0 Latics win

Head says 1-1

Premier League

Latics Vs Blackburn Rovers
DW Stadium
Saturday 26/12/09
3 pm

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