Birmingham City versus Bolton Wanderers – English Premier League: Match Preview
English Premier League resumes on Saturday, 2nd of April with Bolton hosting Birmingham City at the Reebok stadium. Bolton will look to secure their credentials in the top half of the Premier League table whereas Birmingham will be gunning for
all three points to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone. Let’s take a look at both teams before their tie on Saturday afternoon:
Birmingham City
Things have gone from bad to worse for Birmingham City after they lost their last English Premier League encounter against Wigan Athletic. Despite the fact that the Blues won the Carling Cup final against Arsenal, their league form has been abysmal to say
the least. Presently, 19th in the English Premier League table, Birmingham do have a game in hand over their immediate rivals such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.
A win against Bolton will propel Alex McLeish’s men out of the danger zone but only momentarily if other results do not go their way on the weekend. Birmingham have won one, drawn one and lost three out of their last five competitive matchups. Their only
win came in the Carling Cup final and their latest draw came against Everton on 9th March.
Bolton Wanderers
Currently 7th in the English Premier League standings, Bolton will be looking to gain a favourable result against Birmingham City to propel themselves above http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 to the sixth place spot. This is an important game since the league season is
drawing to a close in less than two months. Bolton have been impressive in the 2010-2011 season, they have surpassed expectations thus far and have done remarkably well to secure a consistent spot in the top eight teams of the Premier League.
Out of their last five competitive fixtures, Bolton have lost one, drawn one and won three. This brilliant run of form has seen Bolton win against Aston Villa and Fulham. Additionally, the Wanderers can take further comfort from the fact that they have already
beaten Birmingham City in this season’s F.A Cup competition back in the second week of March.
Team News
Birmingham City have a few injury worries heading into their encounter against the Wanderers. Alexander Hleb is still struggling with a knee injury but he is expected to make a comeback against Bolton. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-McFadden-c17705 are still
sidelined due to their respective injury issues.
Expected Birmingham City line up: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Davies, Larsson, Gardener, Bentley, Ferguson, Martins, Jerome
On the other hand, Bolton Wanderers will be without their star midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stuart-Holden-c34260 as the American playmaker injured his knee ligaments due to a horrific challenge from Johnny Evans in Bolton’s last Premier League outing. Owen Coyle’s team will also
have to make do without http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zat-Knight-c37825 is out of action with a knee injury as well.
Expected Bolton Wanderers line up: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Wheater, Cahill, Robinson, Muamba, Petrov, Taylor, Elmander, Davies, Sturridge
Key Players
Birmingham will bank on their midfield enforcer http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barry-Ferguson-c7311 to turn up the magic on Saturday afternoon. The former Scottish league playmaker has been wonderful for the Blues this season as he has held his own in the midfield. Ferguson isn’t known for
his pace or his creativity but his workhorse attitude has always been an asset to Birmingham in the 2010-2011 season.
Alternatively, Bolton will look towards the pace and guile of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076. Ever since his loan move to Owen Coyle’s side, Sturridge has hit the road running and the Englishman has already netted four goals in six Premier League matches with the Wanderers.
It is expected that Daniel will add to his goal scoring tally against Birmingham’s weak defence.
Prediction
On paper this match looks destined for a draw with Bolton’s superior squad and Birmingham’s home advantage.
Prediction: 1-1.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect the official editorial policy of
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