Bolton's impressive start to the season, which sees them currently sitting 7th in the table, has for the most part been thanks to their ability to reap the benefits of home advantage. Only league leaders Manchester United have more home points to their name than Wanderers who have 19 from nine games at the Reebok Stadium.
Owen Coyle's side have, however, lost two out of their last three matches in disappointing defeats to Manchester City and Sunderland. But Bolton fans will take solace from the club's impressive festive track record - the Trotters have lost only one of seven games on Boxing Day in the Premier League era and will be hoping to continue that run against a Baggies side that do not travel well.
Away Day Woe To Continue For West Brom?
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo stated his intentions for this year, by saying his team are aiming for a top half finish, and they currently sit in 11th position in the table. It is the first time in five Premier League campaigns that the Baggies have been outside the bottom four in the festive period helping to confound pre-season predictions that made them one of the favourites for relegation.
But whilst the Baggies have made a solid start to life back in the top flight, their away record is nothing short of atrocious having won only two of their last 25 Premier League games.
Di Matteo's side are known for their free-flowing approach to the game and this has certainly not aided their defensive cause on the road, having failed to keep a single away clean sheet this season. The Baggies have also lost all four of their previous Premier League Boxing Day fixtures, and could not have asked for many more difficult tests than a Bolton side that have seemed impervious at home.
TEAM NEWS
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton will hope to name a largely unchanged side from the side that went down 1-0 to Sunderland last week in one of the few Premier League matches not to be postponed due to snow. Joey O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel are all still kept out with injuries while midfielder Mark Davies returns to the squad following suspension.
Chung-Yong Lee will soon be jetting off to represent South Korea at the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar and this will be his last domestic contribution before his international commitments.
Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Taylor, Holden, Muamba, Petrov; Elmander, K Davies.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion are hoping to welcome back Peter Odemwingie to their starting line-up following a spell on the side lines with a calf injury, and Roberto Di Matteo is confident the forward will be fit for the Boxing Day encounter.
Swedish defender Jonas Olsson is however missing through an Achilles injury, although it is hoped he will return for the Hawthorns club in January.
Possible starting XI: Carson; Jara, Scharner, Tamas, Cech; Brunt, Dorrans, Tchoyi, Morrison, Thomas; Odemwingie
Prediction
Given Bolton's impressive home record and West Brom's continued failings on the road it's very difficult to look beyond a comfortable home win in this Boxing Day clash. Owen Coyle's side should be confident of victory.
Bolton 2-0 West Bromwich 
