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Championship
May 2, 2015 at 12.15pm UK
 
Birmingham logo

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Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Birmingham City

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City.

Bolton Wanderers will look to finish their difficult season on a positive note with a victory over Birmingham City.

However, Blues fans will return to the place where their side survived thanks to two late goals, hoping to continue their recent good run of form.



Bolton Wanderers

Bolton boss Neil Lennon and Bournemouth counterpart Eddie Howe on the touchline on April 27, 2015© Getty Images

Bolton's season looks to be finishing on a low note, but Trotters fans can be happy that their team has, at least, pulled away from the relegation zone before their recent slump.

When Dougie Freedman was sacked as manager, the Lancashire club were firmly in danger of the drop before Neil Lennon took over the reins and steered Wanderers to safety.

However, Bolton have won only one of their last eight games and were soundly beaten by Premier League-bound Bournemouth on Monday night.

In the wake of that defeat, Lennon suggested that his team were "patched up", although he also claimed that a number of his players didn't perform to their potential at Dean Court.

Prior to that, Wanderers did show some battling qualities by coming from behind twice in a 2-2 draw against Brentford.

Bolton fans can also take heart from their club's recent home record, which has seen them lose only one of their last six at the Macron.

Recent form: DWLDDL



Birmingham City

Gary Rowett manager of Birmingham City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Birmingham City at Portman Road on February 24, 2015© Getty Images

Despite Lee Clark masterminding a final-day escape at the Macron last season, his reign as Birmingham manager was ended in October, with City teetering above the drop zone.

Since Gary Rowett has taken charge of the Blues, their fortunes and their league position have improved.

The ex-Burton boss started well with eight victories from his first 12 games in charge at St Andrew's, but a more recent run of five wins in 21 games has left the lure of a playoff place beyond them.

City did, however, keep only their second clean sheet in 11 outings during their narrow victory over Charlton last weekend, with a late Lloyd Dyer goal giving them three points.

Only goal difference separates now them from 10th-placed Athletic and a win in the North-West could help them move above the Addicks.

However, City's away form could be a concern, with their victory at Reading last week being their first on the road in six games.

Recent form: LWDLWW



Team News

Neil Danns of Bolton Wanderers is tackled by Adam Forshaw of Wigan Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic at Macron Stadium on November 7, 2014© Getty Images

Neil Danns and Barry Bannan are expected to continue in the Bolton team after their recall to the starting lineup in the 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth. Both started at Dean Court after being previously dropped for breaching club discipline.

Zach Clough, Craig Davies and Max Clayton are all missing through injury, but Neil Lennon has to decide whether to keep faith with that "patched up" team that played against the Cherries, or inject some youth into the side.

Andrew Shinnie may come into contention to face Bolton after returning to the bench against Charlton following a foot injury.

Demarai Gray was recalled last week and could retain his place against the Trotters, while Diego Fabbrini is expected to in the squad, at least, after being fitted with a face mask in time to face the Addicks.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Bogdan; Feeney, Ream, Dervite, Moxey; Walker, Bannan, Danns, M Davies; Heskey, Le Fondre

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Randolph, Caddis, Spector, Morrison, Grounds, Davis, Tesche, Cotterill, Shinnie, Gray, Donaldson



Head To Head

City will have fond memories of their last visit to the Macron Stadium, when two stoppage-time goals from Nikola Zigic and Paul Caddis helped keep the Blues in the Championship.

However, their recent record against Bolton is poor, having won only two of the last 11 meetings between the pair, with Wanderers registering seven victories in that time.

Indeed, City's last win against the Lancashire club came when a Mikael Forsell goal saw them beat Sam Allardyce's Bolton in October 2003.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Bolton 2-2 Birmingham

It's difficult to pick a winner, with Birmingham's form on the road and Bolton's improving home record. City may look to attack in a bid to sneak 10th place, but we've gone for another 2-2 draw between the teams.



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Bolton Wanderers Manager Neil Lennon walks onto the pitch at the start of the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers at St Andrews (stadium) on October 18, 2014
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