Bolton v Sunderland

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Reebok Stadium Date: Saturday, 7 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Bolton are hopeful Daniel Sturridge (ankle) and Gretar Steinsson (knee) will be available, while Jussi Jaaskelainen will return in goal.

But midfielder Mark Davies is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury.

Sunderland’s injury crisis has deepened, with Michael Turner (knee) and Lee Cattermole (back) possibly out for the season.

Kieran Richardson is ruled out of the last three games with a stress fracture in his calf.

Bolton

Doubtful: M Davies & Sturridge (both ankle), Steinsson (knee)

Injured: Davis & Holden (both knee), Ricketts (Achilles)

Sunderland

Doubtful: Ferdinand (hamstring), Henderson (groin)

Injured: Bramble, Campbell, Gordon & Meyler (all knee), Cattermole (back), Gyan & Welbeck (both hamstring), Richardson (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

Steve Bruce got his Sunderland reign off to a winning start with a league victory at Bolton; a similar outcome here would go a long way to ensuring the beleaguered Black Cats boss is allowed to continue in the job.

The resilience we had three months ago is certainly lacking. There are issues we have to address. But we’ve got to bite the bullet and fight the flak which will be flying our way Sunderland boss Steve Bruce

A run of four points from the last 33 available has heaped pressure on the increasingly unpopular Bruce, who has seen his side go from batting eyelashes at Europe to flirting with relegation in the space of just three months.

Bruce will point to a crippling injury list that deprived his side of a single fit striker against Fulham last weekend, but it is in defence that Sunderland have consistently come unstuck, shipping 28 goals in their last 11 games.

Bolton’s season, too, is in danger of petering out and manager Owen Coyle will be desperate to see his side return to winning ways following back-to-back defeats on the road to Fulham and Blackburn. Their record at the Reebok is excellent, however, with five wins on the bounce, including a 2-1 win over Arsenal a fortnight ago.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Sunderland are looking to complete a league double over Bolton for the second consecutive season, having already beaten Wanderers 1-0 in December’s reverse fixture.

• Bolton have failed to score against Sunderland in their last three meetings.

• Matt Taylor has netted four goals in eight Premier League appearances against the Black Cats.

Bolton

• Bolton boss Owen Coyle enjoyed his first-ever Premier League victory against Steve Bruce and Sunderland, a 3-1 win for Burnley in September 2009.

• On-loan striker Daniel Sturridge has scored seven goals in nine league matches for Bolton and five in his last five at the Reebok Stadium.

• According to Opta Stats, Kevin Davies has created more chances from open play (85) than any other player in the league.

Sunderland

• Sunderland have won just one of their last 11 league games. They have taken just four of the last 33 points available.

• The Black Cats have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six matches, and a total of 28 goals in their last 11.

• According to Opta Stats, Sunderland have only managed to win four of their previous 20 Premier League games in the month of May. Of all teams to have played more than two Premier League seasons, only Charlton (0.71) average fewer points-per-game in May than Sunderland (0.75).

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Bolton

Elmander: 12 goals (10 league);
Sturridge: 11 goals* (7 league)

*Includes 4 goals (0 league) for Chelsea

Sunderland

Gyan: 11 goals (10 league); Welbeck: 6 goals (6 league)

NB. Darren Bent scored 11 goals (8 league) for Sunderland before moving to Aston Villa.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Kevin Friend

Assistant referees: Trevor Massey & Bob Pollock

Fourth official: Mike Dean

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Bolton (L0-1 v Blackburn, a): Bogdan, Robinson, Wheater, Knight, Gardner, Moreno (Lee 60), Cahill, Cohen, Taylor (Petrov 68), Elmander (Klasnic 68), Kevin Davies. Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Muamba, Blake, Alonso.

Sunderland (L0-3 v Fulham, a): Mignolet, Elmohamady, Turner, Onuoha, Bardsley, Henderson (Lynch 76), Cattermole, Colback, Muntari (Ferdinand 66), Malbranque (Zenden 75), Sessegnon. Subs not used: Carson, Mensah, Riveros, Adams.