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Bolton will be looking to continue their recent good form with victory over Portsmouth on Saturday. Last weekend saw Wanderers record their first Premier League away win since last April and they go into the game searching for back-to-back victories for the first time in 10 months. Three successive clean sheets have temporarily lifted Gary Megson's side to safety and the Bolton boss will be hoping for a result similar to last weekends 2-0 victory over Reading. But Portsmouth aren't a side to be taken lightly. Despite a dip in form of late, Harry Redknapp's side recorded six consecutive away wins earlier in the season and are a force to be reckoned with on their travels. Wanderers will be boosted by the return of El-Hadji Diouf from African Cup of Nations duty. The Senegalese international played 25 minutes at Reading and is expected to start for the first time since early January. Kevin Davies is expected to lead the Bolton attack, with Heidar Helguson also pushing for a start after scoring on his return from injury last week. Ivory Coast's run in the African Nations is still going, so Abdoulaye Meite is still unavailable, meaning Gary Cahill should once again play at the back alongside former Portsmouth defender Andy O'Brien. Another former Pompey man will also face his old club, with former fan favourite Matt Taylor hoping to start his fourth game for Bolton since his move from Fratton Park in January. Joey O'Brien will miss the game with a hamstring injury picked up against Fulham a couple of weeks ago, which almost guarantees Gretar Steinsson a place at right-back following his impressive form since joining the club. Portsmouth will be happy to have the transfer window out of the way, with Benjani finally completing his move to Manchester City this week. The Zimbabwean has been replaced by Jermain Defoe, who scored on his debut against Chelsea last weekend. Defoe is expected to lead the line, with backup from Nico Kranjcar. Redknapp has injury problems in defence, with Sylvain Distin struggling with a hamstring injury. Hermann Hreidarsson looks set to deputise alongside Sol Campbell infront of David James, with Noe Pamarot and Glen Johnson at full-back. Former Preston striker David Nugent is out after undergoing hernia surgery. Their African contingent is almost back to full force however, with John Utaka, Kanu and Papa Bouba Diop pushing for starts, but Sulley Muntari is still in Ghana. Squads: Bolton Wanderers: from: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, A O'Brien, Cahill, Gardner, Guthrie, Nolan, Campo, Taylor, Diouf, Davies, Samuel, Helguson, Cohen, Rasiak, McCann, Fojut, Al Habsi. Portsmouth: from: James, Johnson, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Utaka, Diarra, Diop, Kranjcar, Davis, Hughes, Baros, Defoe, Kanu, Pedro Mendes, Mvuemba, Lauren, Aubey, Ashdown. Referee: Peter Walton Burnden Aces' prediction: 1-1 |
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