Match Preview: City v Bolton

City look to preserve their unbeaten home record against relegation threatened Bolton this evening, eager to put the horror show at Hull firmly behind them.

The blues suffered their fourth defeat of the season on Saturday in a lacklustre performance which saw them slip three points behind Liverpool and Spurs in the race for fourth spot in the league. Victory this evening will put them firmly back in contention and with Liverpool travelling to Arsenal and Spurs visiting Wolves on Wednesday, the blues have a golden chance to make up the ground.

But they will have to do so without Craig Bellamy. Hi long standing knee injury as flared up again and the Welsh striker is meeting a London specialist to get a check-up on the problem. Manager Roberto Mancini does not think it is serious and is hoping to have him back by the weekend.

New Bolton manager Owen Coyle is on his second visit to City this season, having guided his newly promoted Burnley side to their first away point of the season in a thrilling 3-3 draw and he will be hoping his new side can go one better and secure the three points and becoming the first team to win at Eastlands this season.

Bolton lie a place and a point above the relegation zone with Wolves and West Ham looking to take advantage of any slip by the Reebok team.

Team News

Joleon Lescott has returned to training but will probably be on the bench, with youngster Dedryck Boyata continuing alongside Kolo Toure in defence. Vincent Kompany is still struggling with a groin problem and Micah Richards has a calf injury.

Adam Johnson, who impressed on his debut at Hull, is expected to be involved at some point, Patrick Vieira may again be on the bench and Roque Santa Cruz has recovered from a calf strain.
Bolton have suffered a blow after Gary Cahill was diagnosed with a blood clot in his arm and may be forced to miss the rest of the season. Bolton will also be missing on-loan winger Vladimir Weiss as he is ineligible to play against his employers.
Both Andy O’Brien and Fabrice Muamba are doubtful through injury while Gavin McCann and Ivan Klasnic, who scored two goals in the 3-3 draw at the Reebok in December, are also sidelined.

Teams

Manchester City (from): Given, Taylor, Boyata, Lescott, Sylvinho, Bridge, Garrido, Onuoha, Richards, Toure, Zabaleta, A Johnson, Barry, Vieira, De Jong, Ireland, Kompany, Petrov, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor, Santa Cruz, Tevez.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Knight, Robinson, Gardner, Cohen, Taylor, M Davies, Wilshere, Muamba, Lee, K Davies, A O’Brien, Al Habsi, Samuel, Basham, Elmander, Ricketts, Holden.
League Form (Last Five)

City: WWLWL

Bolton: LLWLD

Danger Man: Kevin Davies

A bustling striker always capable of grabbing goal, should the defence allow him.

Over The Blue Moon Prediction: City 3-0 Bolton

After Saturday’s defeat, City should not be in any mood to squander more points.