Premier League Preview: Manchester United vs. Bolton Wanderers
Manchester United host Bolton Wanderers in an English Premier League encounter at the Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. Both teams won their respective FA Cup quarter finals recently and come into this game with high confidence.
Manchester United
United have lost their last two games in the competition, against Chelsea and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 respectively. The Red Devils were hit by the news that their manager Sir Alex Ferguson will face a five game touchline ban for his rant against referee Martin Atkinson
after 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. United have dropped just two points playing at Old Trafford in the ongoing 2010-11 season. The league leaders have won 13 out of total 14 matches played at the Theatre of Dreams so far and the other game was a 2-2
draw against West Bromwich Albion.
The corresponding fixture earlier this season, ended in a 2-2 draw after United twice came from behind to level the scoring.
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton have a very dismal record at the Old Trafford, as they have only won once in their last 18 visits. Owen Coyle has done a decent job with the Trotters this season and they are placed seventh on the league table. Bolton are well positioned to end up
qualifying for a Europa League place for next season.
Their recent form is very impressive as they have won four of their last five games.
Team news
Manchester United
The Red Devils are hit by a host of injury concerns ahead of this important fixture. As many as 11 first team players are out injured for Alex Ferguson’s side. United might field a make shift defence in this game; as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550, Johnny
Evans, Rafael Da Silva and John O’Shea are all out for unknown periods of time.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 is suspended for this game, after the veteran midfielder picked up his 10th booking of the season against the Gunners last weekend.
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton too, are struggling with several injury concerns ahead of this tie. Gretar Steinsson and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jlloyd-Samuel-c18610 are expected
to return to the first team line-up after recovering from knee and calf injuries respectively.
Players to watch
Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antonio-Valencia-c6345
The former Wigan Athletic midfielder is expected to make his first start since September 2010. The Ecuadorian winger suffered an ankle break in the group stage game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314 almost six months ago.
Valencia has made two substitute appearances since his return and finished the game unscathed. The winger will take over the right flank duties from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299, who will shift to the left flank.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 loanee has been in brilliant form since joining the Trotters in January this season. Sturridge has scored four goals in his last five games and has been an influential figure behind their success. The striker will be looking to pounce on the
opportunity and score against the leaders.
Prediction
Despite the injury concerns, United playing at home are too good for any side. Given the fact that striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wayne-Rooney-c36736 is returning to his old form, United are expected to end up as comfortable winners in this game. Prediction: 4-1
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