Bolton vs Birmingham
Premier League 2007/2008 | Campeonato | Day 18
Bolton
Birmingham
Date
2007-12-22 15h00City
BoltonStadium
Reebok StadiumReferee
Bolton vs Birmingham
Bolton
Birmingham
Date
2007-12-22 15h00City
BoltonStadium
Reebok StadiumReferee
Bolton 2-1
Bolton 3-1.
Birmingham.
Bolton v Birmingham
Reebok Stadium
Saturday, 22 December
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.
Andy O'Brien is set to return to the Bolton defence after a bout of food poisoning and midfielder Kevin Nolan has shaken off a foot injury.
Long-term absentee Heidar Helguson (ankle) has returned to training but is not yet fully fit.
Birmingham are without suspended centre back Liam Ridgewell but midfielder Mehdi Nafti is available again.
Ex-Bolton player Rahdi Jaidi is in the squad, Johan Djourou is fit (pelvis) but Stuart Parnaby is out (foot).
Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Al Habsi, Hunt, A O'Brien, Meite, Cid, Gardner, Giannakopoulos, Guthrie, McCann, Nolan, Alonso, Speed, Teymourian, Wilhelmsson, Davies, Anelka, Diouf, Samuel, Al Habsi, Michalik, Braaten.
Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kingson, Doyle, Kelly, Djourou, Schmitz, Jaidi, Sadler, Larsson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Nafti, Johnson, Kapo, Jerome, Forssell, O'Connor, De Ridder.
Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"We've had a couple of decent results here and we've got to try to keep that going.
"If you've got a really good home record, that will take you so far.
"If you can start getting one or two results on the road as well then you'll have a good season, and we want to finish in the top 10."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:
"Bolton have got a lot of good players in their team. They can mix it and can play football as well.
"They have some pretty good assets up front, not forgetting the speed and technique of Anelka.
"He has been around for a long time. He has had many clubs and has played for his country. He is a top player. He will beat most people in a sprint."
Two clubs positioned just above the danger line with different managers since the start of the season meet at the Reebok; victory for Bolton will see them leapfrogging Birmingham and could consign their Midlands' opponents to the relegation zone for the first time this season in an established Premier League table.
Both these sides have scored 18 Premier League goals and conceded 27, but Birmingham are two points above the trap door, and Bolton only one.
Bolton have not lost a home league game since the arrival of Gary Megson; Birmingham have won one, drawn one and lost one of their three league games since Alex McLeish took over, and are vying for a 700th victory in top-flight football.
The Brummies claimed their first home win of the season in the reverse fixture in September, and are now intending to complete the double over Bolton for the second time in the Premier League.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 14th
Lowest could fall: 19th
1. The last four Premier League matches have resulted in: win - loss - win - loss, in that order.
2. The current tally of 14 points after 17 games is their lowest return to this stage in five seasons.
3. Out to add to their 100 Premier League wins.
4. Won two, drawn three and lost two Premier League matches under Megson.
5. It's over a year since they last beat a Midlands' club in the Premier League; that being Aston Villa, 0-1 away, on 16 December 2006.
6. All three league victories have been secured at the Reebok; v Reading on 25 August, and in the two most recent home games, v Manchester United on 24 November and Wigan on 9 December.
7. Undefeated in four home league matches; won two and drawn two since losing 0-1 to Chelsea on 7 October.
8. Not won three consecutive home league games in 17 outings since defeating West Ham, Newcastle and Portsmouth in their last three at the Reebok in 2006.
9. Visit Everton on Boxing Day and Sunderland three days later, and host Derby on 2 January.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 13th
Lowest could fall: 19th
1. Won two of 12 in all competitions, and lost eight of the last 11.
2. Won one of six Premier League matches; 2-3, away to Spurs on 2 December.
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