bwfc.co.uk previews Saturday's Emirates FA Cup third round tie
Wanderers host Crystal Palace on Saturday as attentions turn to cup duty with the third round of the Emirates FA Cup. With a couple of familiar faces standing in the way of a place in the fourth round and the Whites extending their winning run at Macron Stadium, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of this weekend's tie.
1. Home comforts
After clinching back-to-back home victories over the festive period against Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United, Wanderers will be chasing an 11th successive victory at Macron Stadium when they host Crystal Palace this weekend!
Conceding just five goals at BL6 during this run, the last time the Whites failed to win at home came back in early October while they have lost just twice on home soil in all competitions this season.
Having reached at least the fourth round every year for the past seven seasons, Bolton will also be looking to maintain this run on Saturday.
But with Premier League opposition standing in their way, Phil Parkinson's men know they will have to be at their best if they are progress in the competition.
2. Lee Chung-Yong and Sam Allardyce
Saturday's game will see two Trotters fan favourites return to Macron Stadium with the Eagles.
Lee Chung-Yong left Wanderers to join Palace in February 2015, having made 195 appearances and scored 20 goals in a five-and-a-half-seasons with the Whites.
Elsewhere, former England manager Sam Allardyce recently took over at Selhurst Park having previously enjoyed his most successful managerial stint with Bolton between 1999 and 2007.
While both will be given a warm reception at BL6 as they return to their former stomping ground, the Trotters will be determined to ensure that they have the final laugh at the duo's expense come the final whistle!
3. Gaffer's got form
The gaffer has developed quite the taste for a cup run in the past during his time with Bradford City.
He was a Capital One Cup finalist with the Bantams in 2013 having knocked out Premier League trio Arsenal, Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic on their way to Wembley.
Parkinson also led Bradford to the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2015, memorably recovering from 2-0 down to beat eventual Premier League champions Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge before seeing off top-flight Sunderland.
Will the gaffer be able to oversee another cup upset against Premier League opposition?
4. Max Clayton
Max Clayton proved to be one of the most popular goalscorers of the season when he returned from injury to net a last-minute equaliser against Coventry City on Monday.
The forward has endured an injury-plagued two-and-a-half seasons at Macron Stadium, but has endeared himself to the Club's supporters by showing his quality when fit.
His appearance against the Sky Blues was only his second of the season, and his first in league football since November 2015.
Eager to prove himself between now and the end of the campaign, the former England youth international could now be in line for a first start of the season against Palace on Saturday.
And with Sammy Ameobi's loan spell from Newcastle United coming to an end, Clayton will be hoping to establish himself as one of Wanderers' main attacking threats before May as he looks to put his injury problems of the past behind him.
5. James Henry
Having seen his loan spell from Wolverhampton Wanderers extended, James Henry is another player who will be hoping to impress for the Whites during the second half of the campaign.
The wideman is available for Saturday's clash with the Eagles having seen the relevant paperwork go through just minutes before Friday's 12pm deadline.
And having scored an injury-time winner on his last appearance at Macron Stadium against Scunthorpe United, Henry will be hoping for more of the same when Bolton line up against the Eagles.
Bolton Wanderers host Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 7 January, looking to claim an 11th successive home win in all competitions.
With former Whites fan-favourites Sam Allardyce and Lee Chung-Yong set to return to Macron Stadium with the Eagles, matchday tickets for the game are available for just £20!
Tickets are available online HERE, by visiting Bolton Central in person or by phoning 0844 871 2932 (option two then option one).
Cash turnstiles will also be in operation on the day of the game at BL6 from 2pm.