Bolton v Pool Team News

Last updated : 26 November 2010 By 1INOIT

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is likely to stick with the same team that thrashed Newcastle last time out.Matt Taylor, who turns 29 on Saturday, will be hoping to continue on the left wing in place of Martin Petrov.

Blackpool's Ludovic Sylvestre is doubtful with a hamstring strain, while former Bolton man Chris Basham has a knee problem.

Bolton

Injured: Davis (knee), Gardner (thigh), J O'Brien (knee), Samuel (calf)

Blackpool

Doubtful: Basham (knee), Sylvestre (hamstring)

Injured/unavailable: Almond (shoulder), Baptiste, Clarke, Gilks & Martin (all knee), Harewood (hamstring), Rachubka (ineligible)

MATCH PREVIEW

It's been a long time since Bolton, Blackpool and 'must watch' appeared in the same sentence, but this Lancashire derby has all the makings of a classic encounter.

There is a perception of teams playing certain styles but we have our own flavour. It's worked so far, we have a tremendous work ethic

Bolton boss Owen Coyle

The two clubs will always be inextricably linked by the famous Matthews FA Cup final of 1953, and both appear intent on adding another memorable chapter to their history books this season.

Bolton are a team reborn under Owen Coyle, free-flowing, free-scoring and fifth in the Premier League entirely on merit. The Coyle revolution is personified by Johan Elmander, who has been transformed from misfit to big hit as Wanderers have outscored all bar the top three.

Blackpool, meanwhile, are the top flight's great entertainers, playing with a swagger and a smile that has confounded critics who made them pre-season favourites for the drop.

A remarkable 94 goals have been scored in the 28 matches involving Bolton and Blackpool, and given both teams' attacking inclinations and defensive inadequacies, expect another glut at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Bolton and Blackpool haven't met in any competition since February 1993, a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road in the third tier.

• Their last top-flight clash came in March 1964 when Blackpool won 2-0. The season ended in relegation for Bolton.

Have your say on this match

Bolton

• Bolton have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since the opening day of the season against Fulham.

• According to Opta stats, Stuart Holden has made an average of 5.7 tackles per 90 minutes this season, more than any other Premier League player.

• Nine of the 20 goals Bolton have conceded in the league this season have come in the final 15 minutes of matches.

• If selected in the starting XI, Matthew Taylor will be making his 350th league start on his 29th birthday.

Blackpool

• There have been 48 goals scored in Blackpool's 14 Premier League games this season - an average of 3.43 per match.

• The Seasiders have the worst defensive record in the top flight, conceding 27 goals.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Bolton

Elmander: 8 goals (8 league); Davies: 6 goals (6 league)

Blackpool

Harewood: 5 goals (5 league); Varney: 4 goals (4 league); Adam: 4 goals (3 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mike Dean

Assistant referees: Stephen Child & David Richardson

Fourth official: Michael Oliver

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Bolton (W5-1 v Newcastle, h): Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee (Moreno 86), Muamba, Holden, Taylor (Petrov 78), Elmander (Klasnic 80), Kevin Davies. Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Steinsson, Mark Davies, Blake.

Blackpool (W2-1 v Wolves, h): Kingson, Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey (Carney 89), Vaughan, Adam, Phillips (Taylor-Fletcher 65), Campbell, Varney, Harewood (Sylvestre 65). Subs Not Used: Halstead, Ormerod, Grandin, Edwards.