Friday, September 9, 2011

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10.09. (Sat) 18:30 Bolton Wanderers - Manchester United

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BOLTON WANDERERS
Jaaskelainen
Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson
Eagles, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov
Klasnic, K Davies


MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra
Nani, Anderson, Cleverley, Young
Rooney, Hernandez

Owen Coyle will miss the services of Marcos Alonso, who has a foot injury, while long-term absentee Sean Davis is believed to have returned to light training from a knee injury and is yet to get some significant match practice under his belt. Tyrone Mears is also unavailable for this game due to a broken leg, while Ricardo Gardner and Stuart Holden are doubts for this clash.

Lee Chung-Yong remains sidelined after suffering a leg fracture in pre-season and is not expected to return for a few more months. Sam Ricketts (Achilles) also remains in the treatment room.

David Ngog was signed on deadline day but he may prove to be an option from the bench with Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic being preferred.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be without defenders Rafael and Nemanja Vidic, who are sidelined with shoulder and calf injuries respectively. Rio Ferdinand is available for this fixture, but could be rested for the clash against Benfica, as the Scottish boss would want to field experienced heads in the Champions League.

Darron Gibson is out with an ankle injury while Danny Welbeck finds himself recovering from a hamstring problem. This should see Javier Hernandez return to the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen remain doubts for this game.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bolton Wanderers have won only one of their last 17 league games against Sir Alex Ferguson's players.

The Trotters have played hosts to these opponents on 58 occasions in league matches, winning 25, losing 18 and carving out a draw in 15 of those games.

In all competitions, they have scored 159 goals against United, conceding 187 in the process.

Manchester United have won all three of their league games, scoring 13 goals in the process – more than any other team in the top flight.

Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young have contributed with seven goals in three games for the Red Devils.

A victory at the Reebok Stadium would be United's 200th away win in the Premier League, more than any other club in the history of the competition.

Prediction
Manchester United have been prolific in attack during the early stages of the campaign, while Bolton themselves have had no real problem hitting the back of the net. But the hosts have conceded six goals in their last two games, and might have a difficult time against the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez.

The Red Devils also had some trouble winning away last season, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson would want to send a message by beating the Trotters in their own backyard.

With the visitors clearly being the stronger side, an away win could be on the cards.
Editor's Prediction
Bolton 1-2 Man Utd.