Bolton v Latics Preview

The Latics travel the short distance to the Reebok Stadium tonight hoping to get their season back on track following a combination of results last night that saw Roberto`s men slip back into the bottom three.

With Ali Al-Habsi missing due being ineligible to play against his parent club and Charles N`Zogbia suspended, the Latics find themselves without their two star performers this season and will need to battle to take anything away from a Bolton side thats been resurgent under Owen Coyle.

Undoubtedly Martinez will make changes to his starting eleven, they looked leg weary on Sunday, and we can expect to see Figueroa, Boselli and perhaps even Piscu given starts to try and freshen up the side.

Bolton have a very good home record this season, tasting just one defeat, their last five home games have produced some excellent form with four wins and a draw, scoring 15 goals in the process shows that the Latics could be under the cosh tonight.

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'We know how difficult this game is going to be for Bolton are in very good form, especially at home.

'We want to get back to being ourselves, impose ourselves and make sure we perform in the manner we can.

'Bolton have a group of players who have been working together for a long, long time. They've had some outstanding results. They have a great attitude and a belief in the manner they play.

'You know you are going to be very tested in every department as they will fight until the last second. They are playing with a smile on their face and enjoying their football.'

Bolton boss Owen Coyle:

'Wigan are a very good side and play under a terrific manager in Roberto Martinez, who I have a lot of time for.

'Everyone at Wigan will have been disappointed to have lost to Newcastle at the weekend but they showed the quality that they have three days earlier when they fought back with ten men to earn a valuable point against Arsenal.

'We certainly know the strengths that Wigan have and we will give them the utmost respect.

'Equally, I will be focusing on my group and making sure that I get the best out of what we have.

'If we get to our maximum then we have shown that we can stand toe-to-toe with the very best in this league.'

Jlloyd Samuel, Ricardo Gardner, Joey O'Brien, Gretar Steinsson and Sean Davis are all injured, Chung-Yong Lee is on Asian Cup duty.

Bolton from:

Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Alonso, Moreno, Klasnic, Mark Davies, Muamba, Taylor, Petrov, Elmander, Kevin Davies, Bogdan, Blake, Robinson.

Holds the ball up well and knows how to win a free kick

Boyce, Di Santo, Moses and McCarthy all injured, N'Zogbia suspended and Al-Habsi ineligible.

Latics from:

Pollitt, Stam, McManaman, G Caldwell, Alcaraz, Gohouri, Gomez, Boselli, Thomas, McArthur, Watson, Diame, Cleverley, Rodallega, Nicholls,
S Caldwell, Piscu, Figueroa.

Could be the lads last game for the Latics

Latics and Bolton have met 32 times

Latics 13 wins, Bolton 11, draws 8

Last Six Meetings

23/10/2010 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 1
13/03/2010 - Premier League - Bolton 4 Latics 0
17/02/2010 - Premier League - Latics 0 Bolton 0
02/05/2009 - Premier League - Latics 0 Botlon 0
28/12/2008 - Premier League - Bolton 0 Latics 1
16/03/2008 - Premier League - Latics 1 Bolton 0

Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Why not take a look at our excellent 'Meet the Ref' article

Head says 'this is going to be tough and I dont fancy us at all'

Heart says 1-1 draw, fingers crossed, going with the heart

FA Cup 3rd Round

Hull City v Latics
KC Stadium
Saturday
8/01/11
3pm

Premier League
Latics v Fulham
DW Stadium
Saturday
15/01/11
3pm

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