[DUlrich1227]

Bolton v Southampton

Reebok Stadium
Tuesday, 19 April
Kick-off: 2000 BST

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has the luxury of selecting from a fully-fit squad and will resist making wholesale changes unless fatigue proves a factor.

One change could see El-Hadji Diouf start after he scored at Charlton.

Southampton have doubts over midfielder Nigel Quashie, who has a knee injury, and centre back Andreas Jakobsson, who is struggling with a hip problem.

Matthew Oakley could step into midfield in place of Jamie Redknapp who may not be risked due to ongoing knee problems.

Bolton from: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Candela, Gardner, Hierro, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Nolan, Okocha, Davies, Diouf, Pedersen, Campo, Poole, Jaidi, Fadiga.

Southampton from: Niemi; Telfer, Lundekvam, Jakobsson, Davenport, Bernard, Cranie, Delap, Nilsson, Quashie, A Svensson, Le Saux, Crouch, Phillips, Camara, Higginbotham, Oakley, Smith.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce:
"They are desperate for points and in a desperate situation but then the fear factor can be the best motivator of all.
"The fear of being relegated may kick the players into some of the best performances they have had this season.

"They will run their legs off for Harry and on Saturday their first-half performance was as good as anybody else."

Saints boss Harry Redknapp:
"Jamies wants to play every game, but his knee won't take it and I don't want to lose him for our last four games.
"We are in a bad position up against a good, solid team that Sam Allardyce has made really strong and we only have ourselves to blame.

"But we have just got to keep believing we can go somewhere and get something."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

BOLTON WANDERERS and Southampton could hardly have more contrasting recent form, going into their Tuesday night tussle at the Reebok. The relegation threatened Saints are defending an unbeaten Premier League record on Bolton turf, against a Wanderers side who would climb into a top four Champions League spot with victory here.

The Trotters have won nine of their last 12 Premiership matches. Manager Sam Allardyce was well satisfied with the performances of his side in winning their last two, home to Fulham and away to Charlton. After this they go to Villa, host Chelsea, visit Portsmouth and end with what could be a multi-million pound make or break decider against Everton at the Reebok.

Wanderers inflicted a 1-2 win on Southampton in their early season visit to St Mary's. Saints were playing their first match under Steve Wigley, following the shock early season departure of Paul Sturrock. Stelios Giannakopoulos responded to midweek criticism from Sam Allardyce by providing the pass for Danish striker Henrik Pedersen to score after seven minutes and then the Greek midfielder earned a penalty, converted by Jay-Jay Okocha. Bolton are therefore now on the look out for a fourth 'double' over the Saints in their history, but first ever against them in top flight football.

SOUTHAMPTON have no time to dwell on Saturday's devastating loss to Aston Villa, when they were leading 2-0 at half time, and went down 2-3. Maximum points at the Reebok would be their 150th Premier League victory all-time, and lift them out of the relegation zone, but a four-goal defeat would see them sink to next to bottom.

Harry Reknapp's club have won fewer Premiership points on the road than any other club. They are just a point below the safety line, and on a three match losing run in which three goals have been conceded in each game. The Solent side have some massive six-pointers coming up, away to arch rivals Portsmouth, home to Norwich, and away to Crystal Palace. Then they welcome FA Cup finalists Manchester United for the end-of-season finale.

Saints frustrated Bolton by holding out for a goalless draw in this corresponding fixture last season, even though they lost Michael Svensson for a second yellow card near the end. The St Mary's side have never lost a Premiership game on Bolton turf, picking up two victories and three draws since the 2-1 top flight reverse on 25 August 1979, over 26 years ago

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

BOLTON WANDERERS

Fixtures
5th 52 points
Highest achievable 4th
Lowest could fall: 5th

Won 12 of the last 16 League and Cup games.
Not won a top division encounter when the opposition has scored first - drawing four and losing eight of the 12 in which the opening goal has been conceded.
Gone 14 League games, since losing by more than a single goal.
Previous highest total of Premiership points after the first 33 games was 41 last season, when finishing a highest ever eighth.

Won five of the last seven at home.
Won four of the last five home Premiership games.
Unbeaten in six Premiership games at the Reebok.
Won four and drawn two home League matches since losing 0-1 to Blackburn on 28 December.

SOUTHAMPTON

Fixtures
18th 27 points
Highest achievable: 17th
Lowest could fall: 19th

Lost the last three - all Premiership against Chelsea (1-3 h), Blackburn (3-0 a) and Aston Villa (2-3 h).
Lost four of the last five in all competitions.
Won just five Premiership matches this season. Only Norwich have won fewer (four).
Drawn 12 times in the top flight. Only West Brom (13) have finished all square more often.
Won three, drawn six and lost eight Premiership games since Harry Redknapp was appointed manager.
Scored the quickest top flight goal this season - James Beattie after 12 seconds against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 28 August.
Opened the scoring in nine Premiership games. Only Norwich have led the way less frequently (six games).
Lost the lead 11 times in top table engagements. Only Newcastle (18) have relinquished the advantage more frequently.
Involved in more goalless draws in the top division than any other club, with the exception of Manchester United (five each).

Managed just one victory in 16 League games on the road.
Picked up fewer points on their Premiership travels than any other club (six).
Lost more Premiership games, away from home, than any other club (12).
Kept only two top flight clean sheets on the road (at Charlton and West Brom - both 0-0).