Newcastle v Bolton – Match preview.

The Premier League returns this weekend when Bolton make the trip North from Lancashire to the home of Newcastle United – St James’ Park!

I will be at the game this weekend and will be anxious to see whether or not our boys can atone for only real thumping of the season so far. That happened when we lost 5-1 to Bolton at the Reebok back in November in what was a horror show in terms of both individual player performances and collective team indiscipline.

Both teams are on a decent run of form at the moment, and both teams will be eyeing and end of season charge towards the European places so it will be interesting to see just who comes out on top. Obviously we all hope that it is going to be Newcastle.

The injury front is starting to look a little better for Newcastle, although as yet we only have players who are moving closer to a return as opposed to players who can actually make a return. Ryan Taylor is available and Steven Taylor could make the squad, although Newcastle must do without Danny Guthrie, Shola Ameobi, Steven Ireland, Hatem Ben Arfa and Alan Smith.

I expect us to line up with the team looking a little like this;

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Colccini, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Cheik Tiote, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands.

Bolton have been very solid defensively as of late and have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches. They will have to do without defenders Zat Knight and JLloyd Samuel due to injury, although only the former will have much bearing on the first team and David Wheater will likely deputise for him. Daniel Sturridge is eligible to play again after being cup ties for Bolton’s last match in the FA Cup.

Bolton won their last league game 2-0 against Everton in which they lined up with a teamsheet of;

Bolton: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Sam Ricketts, Matt Taylor, Stuart Holden, Mark Davies, Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies, Daniel Sturridge.

The game is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off, which isn’t a good time to be playing football at St James’ Park. The reason for this is that our last Saturday 3pm home win came way way back in August 2008. Ironically the opposition that day was Bolton Wanderers.

Of the ten Premier League games between Newcastle and Bolton at St James’ Park, Newcastle have won seven, drawn two and lost just one.

A clean sheet tomorrow will ensure that the team have gone three games since conceding a goal. The last time that happened was in April 2008.

Kevin Nolan is still searching for his 50th Premier League goal.

I’m going to refrain from making a prediction still as it seems to have brought around an upturn in our results. However, I would love to see us smash Bolton and dish out some revenge for that 5-1 earlier on in the season.

Howay the lads!