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Match preview - Burnley vs. Bolton - Turf Moor fortress to stand strong
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Boxing Day sees Burnley play host to Bolton in what could be a crucial six pointer at Turf Moor. Burnley are returning home after a gruelling defeat against Wolves, but will welcome a return home as their point total accumulated at Turf Moor speaks for itself.
Bolton had a weekend off after their match against Wigan was postponed due to the wintry weather, but they will be keen to get out of the relegation zone with a win. It will not be an easy task for Bolton who are against tough opposition with Burnley losing just once at home this season - against Wigan. This is set to be an intriguing fixture that Owen Coyle will have mixed feelings about as he played for Bolton when they gained promotion to the Premier League in 1995, but he knows how vital it is to pick up the three points against a team in a similar position.
Burnley – The Clarets have a superb record at home and managed to hold Arsenal to a draw last time they were at Turf Moor. Owen Coyle does face the prospect of being without his central pairing at the back of Steven Caldwell and Clarke Carlisle who are both struggling to shrug off groin injuries picked up at the Molineux. The most likely to replace these two would be Andre Bikey and Steven Jordan, but Michael Duff or David Edgar are possibilities should Coyle choose to employ them. Steven Fletcher is expected to continue to lead the front-line alone - with Nathan Blake possibly starting on the left should Bikey move to the back-line.
12 Jensen
14 Mears - 4 DUff- 21 Bikey - 23 Jordan
33 Eagles - 7 McDonald- 2 Alexander - 11 Elliott - 20 Blake
9 Fletcher
Bolton – The Wanderers will be hoping that they can continue their attacking prowess in this match. Burnley have failed to keep a clean sheet since October and with Bolton scoring seven goals in the last three matches they will be aiming to continue recent form. The Trotters will look to capitalise on this weakness with the aerial threat of Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic’s recent run in front of goal. After the postponement of their trip to the DW stadium the Trotters will look to divert focus back to their task of staying in the Premier League. Bolton have no new injury concerns and will be hoping to start the same XI they were planning to go ahead with against Wigan. Having failed to keep a clean sheet all season Bolton have their own worries at the back and will be hoping to improve on their defensive frailties.
22 Jaaskelainen
15 Steinsson- 5 Cahill- 12 Knight- 4 Robinson
27 Lee- 11 Gardner- 21 Cohen- 7 Taylor
14 K Davies - 17 Klasnic
This is going to be a tough battle between the two North West clubs, but one that is sure to provide plenty of goals and entertainment. Both teams will be going all out for the three points which could highlight the defensive woes of both sides, but it is hard to look beyond a Burnley win simply because their record at Turf Moor. The Clarets home form is phenomenal and with two of the big four walking away with just one point between them it would be illogical to believe Bolton could provide an upset. However, it would be foolish to ignore Bolton’s recent scoring record, and against a Burnley back four - possibly without their two central defenders - this could be a result which causes a surprise. After all, this is the Premier League - where anything is possible.
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