| RELATED LINKS |
| Premier League |
| Bolton Wanderers |
| Manchester City |
|
TOP STORIES
 |
NEWS ARCHIVE
|
|
|
After losing twice to Manchester City already this season, Bolton will be hoping it is third time lucky.
Gary Megson's side need to get points on board as quickly as possible if they are to have any chance of Premier League survival, starting against their north-west rivals.
City knocked Bolton out of the Carling Cup back in October, before recording a 4-2 league victory over the Trotters just before Christmas at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Wanderers have lost their last five Premier League games and need an upturn in form, just like City did last weekend, coming off the back of a three game losing streak to beat Tottenham at Eastlands.
A spirited second half performance at Old Trafford on Wednesday has given their fans some hope of survival, but City will not want to lie down, with hopes of Europe still on their minds.
Kevin Nolan and Gary Cahill, who both failed fitness tests at Old Trafford, may come back into the side should they recover from their respective injuries.
Tamir Cohen may also return after picking up a concussion against Wigan last week, but Gavin McCann is doubtful for the game with a calf injury.
Defender Abdoulaye Meite is expected to be dropped from the squad after an apparant altercation with Megson in midweek, which saw the Ivorian substituted at half time against Man Utd.
Ali Al-Habsi will continue in goal with the continued absense of Jussi Jaaskelainen, with Ian Walker making another rare appearance on the bench.
The visitors have selection problems of their own, with Michael Ball and Micah Richards missing from their defence through knee injuries.
Captain Richard Dunne is expected to play, despite a huge gash on his shin, while January signing Benjani may return up front following a hamstring complaint.
Martin Petrov returns from a three-game suspension and may start on the wing, but Dietmar Hamann will be out as he completes a ban of his own.
Bolton will be hoping to end City's recent good run against them and lift themselves out of the bottom three, ahead of the game with Arsenal next weekend.
Squads:
Bolton Wanderers: from: Al Habsi, Nolan, Davies, Taylor, Diouf, Gardner, Campo, A O'Brien, McCann, Steinsson, Hunt, Samuel, Meite, Cahill, Giannakopoulos, Helguson, J O'Brien, Rasiak, Cohen, Walker.
Manchester City: from: Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Dunne, Garrido, Ireland, Fernandes, Johnson, Castillo, Elano, Benjani, Vassell, Caicedo, Sun, Isaksson, Geovanni, Sturridge.
Referee: Andre Marriner
Burnden Aces' prediction: 1-1