Preview: Five talking points ahead of Bolton Wanderers v Millwall

bwfc.co.uk previews Saturday's clash with the Lions at Macron Stadium

Wanderers host Millwall on Saturday chasing a league double and fifth successive home win. 

Looking to bounce back after Sunday's defeat to Peterborough United, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead this weekend's meeting at Macron Stadium.



1. A league double?
Just over four weeks on from when Wanderers travelled to the Den and the two sides meet again at Macron Stadium with Phil Parkinson's side chasing a league double over Millwall.

The Whites were victorious home and away the last time the two sides were in the same division back in 2014/15.

With spectacular efforts from Sammy Ameobi and David Wheater clinching victory in the capital last month, will Bolton wrap up another league double on Saturday?

2. Jay Spearing could return!
Sidelined for the Trotters' last four outings after injuring his groin in the pre-match warm-up against Port Vale, Jay Spearing could return for Wanderers on Saturday.

The gaffer confirmed that the Whites' stand-in skipper has trained all week after making good progress and a decision will be made on whether he is ready to return.

Initially ruled out for four weeks, the midfielder's potential availability will be a welcome sight for manager, players and fans alike as Bolton look to bounce back against the Lions after successive defeats.

3. Ben Alnwick
Ben Alnwick will make his full league debut for the Trotters on Saturday after Mark Howard was ruled out for up to three months with the hand injury sustained at Peterborough United last weekend.

Before making his Wanderers league debut against his former side on Sunday, the shotstopper had had to be patient for a shot in the Whites' first team having been limited to two appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Having established himself as a proven Sky Bet League One goalkeeper during his time with Peterborough, Alnwick will be eager to grab his opportunity with both hands ahead of what looks set to be a prolonged stint between the sticks.

And with recently capped England Under-18s international Jake Turner also stepping up from the Club's youth ranks to provide cover on the bench, Bolton fans should rest easy knowing their side's goal is in safe hands.

4. Millwall's away day blues
Millwall will be chasing a first ever win at Macron Stadium when they take on the Trotters on Saturday.

The Lions have not won away at Wanderers since January 1974, while their last league win on the road came even further back in October 1973.

Locking horns ten times at the home of the Whites since the former clash, Bolton have won nine of those meetings, only conceding four goals along the way.

They are also unbeaten from the last six outings between the sides both home win and away, winning all of the last three without conceding a goal.

Despite this, Millwall will be confident coming into the clash having won all of their last five matches as well as seven of their last eight outings.

However, that sole defeat came at the hands of the Trotters last month at the Den.

Will Wanderers' good form in this fixture continue? Get down to Macron Stadium on Saturday to find out! 

5. Wanderers' home form
Heading into Saturday's game off the back of successive defeats, the Whites will be looking to respond against the Lions on Saturday.

A Checkatrade Trophy exit and defeat to Peterborough saw Bolton's recent unbeaten runs in both all competitions and league come to an end.

However, the Trotters have won all of their last four outings at Macron Stadium while Parkinson has only lost once at BL6 all season since taking over as Wanderers manager back in the summer.

Now facing back-to-back home games in quick succession, the Whites will no doubt be buoyed by playing in front of their home fans once more as they look to maintain their recent run.



Half season tickets are now on sale, with adult supporters able to back Bolton during the second half of the campaign from just £13.33 a game!

Following an impressive start to their domestic exploits inside the opening months of the season, Phil Parkinson’s men will head into the New Year looking to build on their efforts so far as the Whites bid to return to the second tier of English football.

For more information or to purchase your half season ticket, please phone 0844 871 2932, visit Bolton Central in person or click onto the club’s ticketing website, www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc.

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