Bolton Wanderers vs. Manchester United - Match Preview

Man United fans come back down to Earth yet after the nirvana of their 8-2 trashing of Arsene Wenger's troubled Arsenal side almost a fortnight ago? That victory is sure to last in infamy for a very long time and I'm not sure Wenger will ever be able to let it down, but the truth of the matter is the Champions can't go thinking they are invincible today against an ever improving and battling Bolton Wanderers who under Owen Coyle have become a spirited and adventurous team but still with the backbone of the hard-working ethics that go back to Sam Allardyce's memorable tenure. In many ways today's match at the Reebook Stadium the for The Red Devils will be more difficult than playing a second string Arsenal team with Bolton turning in far better performances than their 3 point haul after 3 games shows, putting QPR to the sword with a 4-0 victory at Loftus Road on the opening day, before giving Manchester City a run for their money in an entertaining 2-3 defeat, and although disappointing, they won't be the only side to succumb to Liverpool at Anfield as they did last time out. They will be buoyed today by a trio of new signings - David N'gog (permanently from Liverpool) Gael Kakuta and Dedryck Boyata (on loan from Chelsea and Man City respectively) who all came from title challenging clubs, giving up run-outs in the Champions League and winning trophies to play first team football at Bolton this season and they will all feel like they have something to prove. Coyle has proven to be rather astute in the transfer market for picking out hungry footballers and bringing them in on loan to such canny effect like Jack Wilshire and last year Daniel Sturridge to give that extra skill and desire with his experienced first team. The new signings will also boost an injury hit side with Richardo Gardner (groin) and Stuart Holden (knee) not quite ready yet, and Lee Chung-yonng, Tyrone Mears (both broken legs), Sam Ricketts (Achilles) and Marcos Alonso (broken metatarsal) expected to be out for some time. For the Champions, the biggest change to their side will be the first start of the season for last year's 20 goal machine Javier Hernandez as Danny Welbeck is ruled out with a hamstring injury. The back four is expected to be the same as it was against Arsenal with Chris Smalling again filling it at right back with Rafael injured, Sir Alex Ferguson stating recently that he believes the move is a temporary measure and Smalling's future will be in the middle. Wayne Rooney will be looking to carry on his excellent form this season and his record against these opponents are good with six goals amassed in nine league outings. In fact Man Utd's record against Bolton is good overall having only dropped two points to them in seven meetings and being unbeaten against the Wanderers in four years. Though it has to be said the two points Utd did drop against Bolton was last season when the home side twice let a goal advantage slip, so Utd will have to be aware they are now a dangerous attacking threat and they will be sure to test the still undecided David de Gea whenever possible in Utd's goal, particularly Ivan Klasnic who has 3 in 3 this term. I predict an entertaining and goal-frenzy game this late afternoon with Utd nicking it 3-1 or 3-2 with the quality of Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney and Hernandez too strong for Bolton's defence and for Gary Cahill, who if his head is not right after a deadline day move to Spurs didn't materialise and a few days earlier a bid from Arsenal rejected and he isn't 100% concentrated on the game at hand, Utd may end up putting a fair few past Jussi Jaaskelainen. The squads for today's game line-up like this; Bolton (from): Bogdan, Steinsson, Robinson, Cahill, Muamba, Eagles, Tuncay, Petrov, Knight, Kevin Davies, Mark Davies, Klasnic, Reo Coker, Blake, Pratley, Jaaskelainen, Wheater, Boyata, Kakuta, Ngog. Man Utd (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Evans, Fabio, Nani, Park, Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf, Owen, Macheda, Hernandez. Latest odds for Bolton vs. Manchester United provided by Bet365 via Online Soccer Betting: Bolton - 7/1 Draw - 10/3 Man Utd - 4/9 Bolton vs. Man United is the live Saturday afternoon ESPN match at 5.30pm.