Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City,
The Barclays Premier League,
Sunday 9 May,
The Reebok Stadium, 4pm Kick-Off.
267 days after the first ball was kicked, the 2009/10 season draws to its conclusion on Sunday afternoon.
Bolton go into the final game of the season against Birmingham City hoping to clinch 14th place ahead of Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic while the Blues are looking to secure a top-half finish after a successful first season back in the top flight.
Before last week's 2-1 win over Burnley, City had been on a poor run of form, and managed to pick up just four points from eight games since their last Premier League victory - a 2-1 win over Portsmouth on 9 March.
Coyle's men will be looking to go out with a bang for the season finale, and the team will have the belief that they can beat their Midlands counterparts following the return fixture earlier this season. When the team met at St Andrew's in September, Wanderers came away with a 2-1 victory with goals from Tamir Cohen and Chung-Yong Lee either side of Kevin Phillips' equaliser.
It was one of just two home defeats for the visitors, whose away record is not nearly as good, with 11 defeats on the road this season. Bolton have five home wins to their name in the league this campaign, the biggest being a 4-0 win at home to Wigan which will live long in the memory of both sets of supporters.
The Trotters have four players vying for the club's top scorer award, with Kevin Davies and Matthew Taylor leading the way on eight goals, and Gary Cahill and Ivan Klasnic following close in their wake on seven.
Coyle has insisted that American Stuart Holden will feature at some point, while Gretar Steinsson is a doubt with a knock. Wanderers are still without long term injuries Sean Davis, Joey O'Brien and Gavin McCann.
City may be giving a game to a few fringe players, but Blues boss Alex McLeish is definitely without Scott Dann who has a calf injury, while Gary O'Connor is still a doubt with a thigh problem.
With both teams safe in mid-table, the only prize left up for grabs in the added boost of financial backing from the Premier League, with £750,000 up for grabs for every position higher in the division. Should results go against the Trotters then they could potentially finish one place above the drop zone.
Kevin Friend will officiate the encounter - he has shown 123 yellow cards and seven red cards in 33 games this season. This is his first Wanderers game and the last time he refereed a Birmingham match, they lost 2-1 at Burnley.
Don't forget that you can listen to full, live commentary of Bolton's final match of the season on Wanderers Player. Send all your thoughts and opinions on all things club related to the broadcast team on matchday@bwfc.co.uk
By Chris Wildgoose
