After being forced to a replay against Macclesfield, Bolton's next test in the FA Cup come in the form of fellow Premier League outfit Swansea City. The two teams met in late October where Swansea disposed of their opponents in a 3-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium but much has changed since the Swans triumphed over the Trotters. Owen Coyle's team were in a dire run of form at the time with the defeat against Swansea being their eighth in nine games. However the team have galvanized to lift themselves out of the relegation zone and are hot off the heels of a convincing victory over Liverpool at home. Brendan Rodgers saw his Swansea team suffer their first defeat of 2012 at the hands of a resurgent Sunderland team, thanks to the guidance of Martin O'Neill, last weekend. Rodgers will no doubt be looking to bounce back against a more known foe in Owen Coyle's Bolton, albeit in the unvisited territory of the Reebok Stadium. Bolton's FA Cup journey was just one step short of the final after Stoke put out an impressive five goal performance to confirm their place in the 2011 final. This year the team's preferences are a little different. An indifferent start to the season which has left them precariously hanging above the relegation zone could sway their emphasis more towards Premier League survival, providing Coyle the option of fielding a particularly weakened side in the cup. With the likes of Kevin Davies warming the bench at the moment, his presence and experience could be key for the squad in times like these. Much of the same can be said for Swansea. Whilst their season has been a little more fruitful than their opponents, Brendan Rodgers will know too well that promoted sides can often suffer a latter season collapse however their recent signings have outlined a certain strength in depth. The nucleus of the Swansea team is in the midfield and with the new recruits of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Josh McEachran joining the ranks, Rodgers could have an easier time selecting his rotated squad.
Team News
Tyrone Mears (broken leg) and Jussi Jaaskelainen (hip/thigh) are both nearing full fitness but both will be severe doubts for Saturday's game. Chung Yong Lee and Stuart Holden's long term injuries will still keep them out of action plus Marcos Alonso (ankle/foot), Ricardo Gardner (hip/thigh) and Sean Davis (knee) join them on the sidelines. Ferrie Bodde is the only player who will definitely miss the trip to Bolton, whereas Alan Tate has made a quicker than anticipated recovery from his broken leg and could make the journey North. Steven Caulker is also unavailable for the trip as his parent club, Spurs, wish to keep him from being cup tied in case of a recall.
Line-ups from;
Bolton (from): Bogdán, Steinsson, Robinson, Muamba, Eagles, Tuncay, Petrov, Knight, K Davies, Mears, M Davies, Klasnic, Ricketts, Reo-Coker, Blake, Pratley, Jaaskelainen, N'Gog, Boyata, Lainton, Wheater, Connolly, Eaves, O'Halloran, Vela, Blakeman, Riley, Lynch. Predicted line-up: Bogdan, Steinsson, Wheater, Knight, Ricketts, Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, M Davies, Petrov, K Davies. Swansea (from): Vorm, Williams, Taylor, Tate, Britton, Orlandi, Graham, Sinclair, Dyer, Dobbie, Routledge, Monk, McEachran, Lita, Moore, Bessone, Moreira, Rangel, Situ, Allen, Tremmel, Agustien, Gower, Richards, Davies, Walsh, Alfei, Thomas, Smith, Edwards, March, R Donnelly, Sigurdsson. Predicted line-up: Vorm, Taylor, Williams, Monk, Rangel, Allen, Britton, Sigurdsson, Dyer, Sinclair, Graham. Italics indicate doubtful.Prediction: 1 - 1 - confidence should be high after the Liverpool victory but a replay could be on the cards for Bolton.