BOLTON Wanderers go in search of a fifth straight victory when they make the short trip to Bury on Monday evening (K.O. 19-45).
The Trotters make the six-mile drive east for the first time since April 1999 when Colin Todd’s men were defeated 2-1 at Gigg Lane.
The two sides couldn’t be in more contrasting runs of form. While Bolton are looking to continue their perfect sequence of results since a 2-0 loss to Oxford United at the start of the month, David Flitcroft’s side are looking to arrest a worrying slump of five straight losses in all competitions that has seen the side drop to 11th in the League One table.
In spite of the match being controversially moved to Monday night due at the behest of television rights, a bumper crowd is expected at Gigg Lane.
Bury have sold 4,282 tickets to home supporters whilst Bolton have also sold out their allocation.
3,200 supporters will be cheering on Phil Parkinson’s men as they look for three points that would take them into second place in the league standings.
Previous Meetings:
The two sides first locked horns as far back as February 1895 when Bolton knocked Bury out of the FA Cup by a single goal to nil.
In total there have been 76 meetings between the sides, Bury edging the head to head record with 30 wins to Bolton’s 29. There have been 17 draws.
The most recent fixture between the two Greater Manchester clubs was in a first round League Cup tie in 2014, Bolton nicking the win by the odd goal in five after extra time.
The last league meeting between the sides was a 2-1 Friday night success for the Shakers in the then League Divison 1.
Neil Cox scored for Bolton that night whilst Dean West and Chris Swailes netted for the hosts whose season ended in a heart-breaking relegation on goals scored from the division now known as the Championship.
Players to watch:
For Bury the ex-Everton frontman James Vaughan is the obvious dangerman.
The former England under-21 international has scored five goals in his eight games since making the switch from Huddersfield Town in the summer including two in the Shakers last win, away at Milton Keynes in late September.
Bolton will be looking for Sammy Ameobi to shine as he did on Tuesday night at Millwall.
The on-loan Newcastle starlet scored spectacularly from 25 yards in the capital and is more than capable of troubling any third-tier defender.
Team News:
Bury have midfielder Jacob Mellis available after completing his one game suspension during Tuesday night’s loss to AFC Wimbledon.
Kean Bryan, on loan from Manchester City, will be absent however, he still has two games left on his suspension after being sent off in the feisty local derby against Rochdale on October 15 which also saw Mellis dismissed.
Tom Walker is ineligible to feature his parent club and while the fitness of Leon Barnett (knee) is expected to be tested shortly before the teams are announced.
Long-term absentees Chris Brown (knee), Craig Jones (thigh) and Tom Pope (ribs) remain sidelined.
For Bolton, Tom Thorpe looks set to begin a spell on the sidelines after coming off in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Millwall with what is believed to be damaged ankle ligaments.
Derik Osede looks set for his first start of the campaign in the Trotters midfield.
Max Clayton is closer to a return to full fitness from his knee injury after featuring for the development team earlier this week but Dean Moxey (groin), Darren Pratley (broken leg), Lewis Buxton and Mark Davies (both knee) are all still on proverbial the treatment table.
Ex-West Brom and Stoke striker Peter Odemwingie is training with the club but as yet no contract has been signed for the Nigerian international to feature for the club.
Squad Last Time Out:
Bury: Williams, Etuhu, Kay, Maher, Leigh, Ismail (Walker), Danns (Tutte), Soares, Mayor, Vaughan, Hope (Miller)
Unused Substitutes: Rachubka, Dudley, Burgess, Harker.
Bolton Wanderers: Howard, Taylor, Beevers, Wheater, Wilson, Clough (Proctor), Spearing, Thorpe (Osede Prieto), Ameobi (Henry), Vela, Madine
Unused Substitutes: Alnwick, Anderson, Trotter, Dervite.
Recent Comments