Desperate Bolton will be seeking nothing less than three points when they host Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium.

Gary Megson’s men are in dire need of all three points after a horrid run in the league has seen the Trotters slide to 19th place in the table.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at the hand of Wolves extended Bolton’s winless run to seven matches, and the pressure is mounting on coach Gary Megson.

The visitors travel to The Reebok Stadium on a high after netting crucial back-to-back victories over Arsenal (3-0) and Chelsea (2-1) in the Carling Cup quarter-finals and the league respectively.

The 2-1 win over Chelsea went a long way towards reaffirming City’s top four credentials, and after finally bringing to a close a run of seven successive draws, the Citizens will be hoping to avoid defeat against a very physical Bolton outfit.

Team News:

Bolton welcome back captain Kevin Davies after the striker served a one-match ban. Davies provides the Trotters with a target upfront and has been solely missed as Gary Megson’s men have struggled for goals.

Joey O'Brien and Sean Davies (both knee) will miss out and Megson may opt to drop striker Ivan Klasnic to shore up the midfield.

Manchester City will be without young midfielder Michael Johnson who injured his knee in training and unfortunetly faces another lengthy spell on the treatment table.

Full-back Wayne Bridge has been ruled out till the New Year with a knee ligament injury, meaning either Sylvinho or Javier Garrido will come in, whilst Micah Richards, Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland are all doubtful.

Likely Line-Ups; Star Man:

Bolton (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, McCann, Cohen, Gardner, Taylor, Elmander, Davies.

Man City (4-3-3): Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor.

ExtraFootie Prediction: Bolton 1-2 Manchester City. City were bullied in this same fixture last season and went on to lose 2-0, but the visitors have since improved whilst the hosts have moved in the other direction. We can foresee a narrow away win to heap further pressure on beleaguered boss Gary Megson.