Preview: Bolton Wanderers v Rotherham United

Bolton Wanderers take on Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship on Boxing Day at the University of Bolton Stadium. Ahead of the encounter, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points.

1. Looking to bounce back

It is a case of re-grouping and going again for the Wanderers following Saturday’s narrow defeat on the road at Brentford.

Phil Parkinson’s men are now thirteen games without a victory, and although general performance levels have improved, the team will go in search of their first point since a 1-1 home draw against Wigan Athletic at the beginning of December.

Parkinson said: ''We all need those moments, we can't kid ourselves. We've been in so many tight situations and we need a moment when we get a goal that gives us all a lift.''

''Once again, you can't fault the effort, preparation and the performance level of the team, but we need someone to step up to the plate and produce a moment of quality to give us a lift on the bench, the lads a lift on the pitch and the supporters - who travelled magnificently, a lift as well.''

''We put the ball into the box from good areas today, and we need to keep on doing that, but we also need someone to finish one off.''

2. Last time the two faced off at the University of Bolton Stadium

The last time Rotherham came to the University of Bolton Stadium was back in February 2016 and it was Wanderers who came out on top to earn three Sky Bet Championship points.

That was only the Millers’ second ever visit to BL6 and on both occasions, Wanderers have been successful – with the other victory a 3-2 success in September 2014 with Joe Mason’s proving decisive.

On the last visit, a last-minute Kaiyne Woolery won the game for Neil Lennon’s Wanderers after Chris Burke had cancelled out Jay Spearing’s early opener on the stroke of half-time.

Phil Parkinson’s men will be hoping to continue Bolton’s 100% record against the South Yorkshire club at the University of Bolton Stadium.

3. Millers winless on the road

Rotherham United have won four games this season, all of them coming on their own patch – meaning Paul Warne’s men have yet to win away from home in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

Beaten on the road by Brentford, Leeds United, Wigan Athletic, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Norwich City – picking up draws at Middlesbrough, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday.

4. Another instalment of ‘Battle of the Roses’

Wednesday’s game with be yet another instalment of Lancashire vs Yorkshire fixtures this season, with Wanderers having already been in ‘Battles of the Roses’ on a number of occasions at the University of Bolton Stadium this season.

Sheffield United, Hull City and Leeds United have faced Phil Parkinson’s men in BL6 this season already and now Rotherham United come looking for the same success their fellow county-men have had at Wanderers this season. On the other hand, The Whites will be looking to gain the upper-hand this time around.

5. Pay on the Day

Tickets are still available to purchase for Boxing Day’s encounter and are on open sale, with the prices as follows below:

Adults from: £26

Over-65s from: £20

Under-23s from: £20

Under-18s: £12

Under-12s: £10

Purchase your tickets now from the Bolton Central Ticket Office.

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