Context is everything. West Ham must win this match, for it presents their sole realistic chance of success in a run that includes Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. Bolton, meanwhile, are in a run of games against fellow relegation-battlers, having beaten Wolves last week and with Sunderland and Wigan to come. So much for the context, what of the contest? On paper, there should be none: West Ham have conceded in one of their last five at home, Bolton have scored in none of their last five away. Simon BurntonVenue Upton Park, Saturday 3pmTickets £35-51 (0871 222 2700)Last season West Ham 1 Bolton 3Referee L ProbertThis season's matches 15 Y52, R3, 3.67 cards per gameOdds West Ham 5-6 Bolton 4-1 Draw 13-5West HamSubs from Kurucz, Stech, Da Costa, Stanislas, Daprela, Collison, Mido, Ilan, McCarthy, Dyer, NgalaDoubtful Dyer (leg), McCarthy (knee)Injured Gabbidon (hamstring, 13 Mar), Noble (arm, 13 Mar), Ilunga (calf, 20 Mar), Boa Morte (knee, Aug), Hines (knee, Aug), Davenport (legs, unknown)Suspended NoneForm guide LWWLDDDisciplinary record Y49 R3Leading scorer Cole 9BoltonSubs from Al Habsi, Bogdan, Gardner, Weiss, Ward, Samuel, A O'Brien, Shittu, Riga, Cohen, Klasnic, Vaz TêDoubtful NoneInjured Cahill (arm, 20 Mar), Basham (knee, Apr), Holden (broken leg, Apr), McCann (foot, Apr), Davis (knee, Aug), M Davies (ankle, unknown), J O'Brien (knee, unknown)Suspended NoneForm guide WLDLDLDisciplinary record Y52 R2Leading scorer Klasnic 6Match pointers• Three of the last four meetings between these sides in all competitions have finished 3-1 to Bolton• West Ham have won one of their last 11 league meetings with Bolton (3-1 in May 2007), losing nine of the other 10• Bolton have failed to score away from home in the Premier League for seven hours and two minutes• If selected, Scott Parker will be making his 250th Premier League appearance• 67% of Bolton's goals have come from set-plays, the largest proportion in the Premier LeaguePremier LeagueWest Ham UnitedBolton Wanderersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Comments