Wanderers make a trip to the North East on Saturday to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Sky Bet League One. Ian Evatt’s men will be looking for a positive result in a bid to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Rotherham United.
Sunderland currently sit second in the league table, behind leaders Wigan Athletic on goal difference. The Black Cats actually registered a victory against the Latics at the DW Stadium during the week, coming out on top 2-0 in a Carabao Cup tie.
Lee Johnson’s men are four league matches unbeaten following their defeat at Burton Albion just over a month ago.
Pre-match quotes: From the bosses
Lee Johnson: “They are a really good side, I like them. Possession-wise they are right up there. I watched them against Burton and they have some serious threats. With promotion last year, they have a good, young talented manager. I think it will be an entertaining match.”
Ian Evatt: “We know it’s a difficult place to go. It’s a very big club with a great fan base but we are exactly the same as that. We don’t go anywhere to draw and we will give it our best shot. We’ll go there and play our way with our identity and try and implement our game plan on them. And if we do that to the best of our ability we have a good chance of getting the right result.”
Team News:
In his pre-match press conference, manager Ian Evatt brought some positive news. Declan John and Harry Brockbank are both now available once again for selection following their respective illness and injury.
Amadou Bakayoko is progressing well in his aim for a return to action and is now back on the grass running again. Xavier Amaechi is stepping up his rehabilitation and is making good progress, whilst Evatt expects Andrew Tutte to be on the sidelines for a lengthy spell following a hamstring injury picked up in a recent reserves fixture against Accrington Stanley.
Tickets and Travel
Tickets for this fixture are now unavailable to purchase from the Bolton Central Ticket Office, and there is, unfortunately, NO Pay on the Day option at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.
Official coach travel is also available, costing £22.00 per person. All coaches depart from the University Of Bolton Stadium at 10:30am.
Wanderers supporters can access a stadium guide by clicking HERE.
Last Time Out
Remi Matthews was the star of the show for Wanderers to keep Phil Parkinson’s expectant Sunderland side at bay at the Stadium of Light on numerous occasions.
Although Wanderers would’ve been happy to earn a point in the North East, Keith Hill’s men had chances of their own through Ronan Darcy and Daryl Murphy. Had composure been a little better in the final third, Wanderers could have upset the odds to defeat promotion hopefuls, Sunderland.
Sunderland 0-0 Bolton Wanderers | Thursday 26 December 2019
Line-Up: Matthews, Emmanuel, Wright, Earl, Lowe, L. Murphy, Bridcutt, Darcy (Chicksen 88), Verlinden (O’Grady 65), Dodoo, D. Murphy.
Unused Subs: Alexander, Zouma, Senior, Graham, Politic.
Match Officials:
Referee: Sam Purkiss
Assistants: Richard Wigglesworth and Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official: Ivan Stankovic