Two of the Premier League’s home-grown manager’s clash in this relegation 6-pointer between Gary’s Megson’s Bolton and Roy Hodgson’s Fulham at the Reebok Stadium this Tuesday. The Cottagers face an uphill task to survive this season as they lie in 19th position, 5 points adrift from those outside the relegation zone. If you throw in an appalling 16-month run without an away win and it is not hard to see where most of the trouble lies. The Trotters have also struggled away from home this season and have yet to pick up all 3 points on their travels. Luckily for Gary, they are playing this match at the Reebok.

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The ongoing Nicolas Anelka saga looks set to be resolved before the weekend with his expected transfer to Chelsea to be completed. The sale of Bolton’s star player could jeopardise the Trotters Premier League safety with only 3 points separating them from the drop zone. Anelka’s goal tally emphasizes his importance this season. The moody Frenchman has scored 10 of Bolton’s 23 Premier League goals. The club’s next top scorers have 3 apiece in the shape of Kevin Nolan and El-hadji Diouf. So expect the Trotters to struggle.

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The Rock bottom Rams ended the year with yet another defeat but at least they are finally starting to score goals, well it’s a start isn’t it. The Premier League’s whipping boys look destined for the drop already 8 points adrift at the bottom of the League and with only 1 win all season which was back in mid-September, just the 3 and a half months ago. The first half of the season has been one to forget for Derby, they are the worst scorers in the division and have the worst defence so the old adage that the table doesn’t lie rings true in this case.

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Roy Keane was humbled by his former side on Boxing Day as the Black Cats went down 4-0 at home to United. Gary Megson also suffered from Boxing Day blues at Everton as they were beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park. However, this is a fixture both sides will feel they are capable of winning with just 3 points separating the sides.

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Another home win for Gary Megson’s Bolton was greeted with delight by 56% of you who expected the Trotters to do the business. Despite a 3-0 score line it took until the 72nd minute before Bolton finally broke the deadlock dampening the festive spirits of 31% of you expected a hard fought draw.

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Would anyone other than the staunchest Bolton fan have put money on a home win over United at the weekend? I seriously doubt it; they had waited 29 years for a home win against them after all. The team Sir Alex Ferguson picked played a key part in their defeat. The Red Devils were already without the services of Wayne Rooney through injury but Sir Alex’s decision to rest Ronaldo meant they were missing 2 players who have scored 11 of the club’s 23 goals this season. The Portuguese winger’s attacking threat is emphasised by the fact he has had more shots on target this season than anyone else in the Premier League. The only other occasion the Red Devils played away without both players was the 1-0 defeat at Eastlands in August. This was the only other away game when they failed to score this season. Perhaps Sir Alex may need to open the chequebook again in January.