Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic,
Barclays Premier League,
Sunday 28 December, 2008,
Reebok Stadium, 2pm Kick-Off
The busy Christmas schedule continues and it's back to the Reebok for Bolton Wanderers, only two days after the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at Anfield.
After the disappointing performance on Merseyside, Gary Megson will be looking for the perfect response from his players in what is set to be a passionate North West derby.
Indeed, only ten miles separate the two clubs in what has become another fixture to whet the appetite of both supporters since Wigan's promotion to the top-flight in 2005.
Wigan enter the match on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Newcastle, one which Latics manager Steve Bruce felt that they nearly threw away following a chaotic final few minutes.
He said: "We comprehensively won the game but in the last five minutes we've caused carnage to ourselves. It took the gloss of what was otherwise a really good performance where we were the worthy victors."
The two teams have met only 27 times, with Wigan currently holding the edge thanks to their 12 victories compared to Bolton's ten. There have been five draws.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Bolton ran out comfortable 4-1 winners thanks to strikes from Nolan, Davies, Anelka and an own goal by Paul Scharner.
Team News
Kevin Davies is expected to return to the starting line-up after being left out of the first 11 against Liverpool. Gary Megson is hopeful that Gary Cahill will be fit to take his place alongside Andy O'Brien in defence after picking up a knock in the latter stages of the defeat at Anfield.
If Steve Bruce is to keep faith with the same forward line that triumphed over Newcastle, then the physical duo of Amr Zaki and Emile Heskey will spearhead Wigan's attack.
Opposition Manager - Steve Bruce
The 47-year-old former centre-half was appointed manager of Wigan Athletic in November 2007 when the club agreed to pay £3m to his former employers Birmingham City for his services. It signalled Bruce's second coming at the JJB, where he had previously spent a short period as boss in 2001.
Having retired from the game as a player in 1998 with over 700 games under his belt, the Northumberland-born man made the step into management firstly with Sheffield United, before he had brief stints at Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace.
It was at Birmingham City where he fortified his reputation as a top-class manager. He spent just under six years with the Blues in which he earned promotion to the Premier League and made some notable player signings for the club including French international Christophe Dugarry.
In his first season back with Wigan, Bruce preserved the Latics' Premier League status, which for long periods of the season looked in jeopardy.
Opposition Key Player - Luis Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian winger has arguably been Wigan's finest performer this season, proving a constant threat for left-backs up and down the country.
Having moved to the JJB originally on-loan from Spanish outfit Villarreal in 2006, the 23-year-old has this season started to display the form which has linked him with a big money move away from Wigan during the January transfer window.
Having forged a good on-the-field relationship with Wilson Palacios and Mario Melchiot, the lightning quick Valencia has had a hand in the majority of goals scored by the Latics this season.
Valencia also has credentials on the international stage where he won 29 caps for Ecuador and has scored four goals.
Betting
To get all the best odds for the game, visit our official betting partner Bet2Go.
Wanderers are best priced at 13/10 to register maximum points with a draw being available at 12/5. Wigan are 12/5 to come away with the win.
Ricardo Gardner is best priced at 25/1 to net the opening goal of the game, whilst Bolton are 20/1 to come away with a 3-1 win.
Click here for more information and hundreds more of superb odds.
Listen Live
If you can't make it to the Reebok on Sunday afternoon, you can listen to live uninterrupted commentary on Wanderers World with the club's new official commentator Phil Gittins. The broadcast starts at 1.30pm.
