MIDDLESBROUGH vs BOLTON Matchfile

5:19pm Friday 21st November 2008

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LIKELY LINE-UPS

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Turnbull, Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, O'Neil, Digard, Arca, Downing, Tuncay, Alves.

BOLTON (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O'Brien, Samuel, Elmander, Nolan, Muamba, McCann, Taylor, Davies.

Middlesbrough subs: Jones, J Johnson, Grounds, Walker, A Johnson, Emnes, Aliadiere.

Bolton subs: Al Habsi, Gardner, Basham, Smolarek, Riga, Helguson, Obadeyi.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Chris Riggott will miss tomorrow's home game with Bolton after injuring his hamstring in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Everton. The Boro centre-half is expected to be sidelined for three weeks because of the problem. Mido is back in training as he recovers from a hamstring problem, but the Egypt international is not expected to make the squad to face the Trotters. Jeremie Aliadiere is available, but the French midfielder could find himself on the bench after Julio Arca impressed at Goodison Park.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: Riggott (hamstring), Williams (knee), Huth (ankle), Shawky (thigh), Mido (hamstring).

Last five league games: DWDWD

Leading league scorer: Mido 4

Next game: vs Newcastle (H) 29/11/08

BOLTON: Bolton manager Gary Megson will check on the fitness of Ricardo Gardner and Danny Shittu ahead of tomorrow's trip to the Riverside. The pair were away on international duty with Jamaica and Nigeria respectively this week. Joey O'Brien definitely misses out with a thigh injury, but Megson hopes Ebi Smolarek and Gretar Steinsson will be available after illness and injury.

Suspensions: None

Injuries: J O'Brien (thigh), Vaz Te (knee)

Last five league games: LWWLL

Leading league scorer: Davies 4

Key Player: Jussi Jaaskelainen - The Bolton goalkeeper has been repeatedly linked with a possible move to Middlesbrough.

Last season: 0-1

League head to head: Middlesbrough 32, Bolton 47, Draws 27

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Halifax) - G13 Y31 R2 Ave: 2.54

Last Middlesbrough game: vs Wigan (A) W1-0 04/10/08 Y3 R0

Odds: H10/11; A16/5; D23/10

It's a fact: Julio Arca will make his 50th Premier League appearance for Middlesbrough if he features tomorrow.

Comment by PAUL FRASER: With Tuncay and Stewart Downing in full flow, Bolton can expect to be brushed aside.

Prediction: 2-1

** READ MORE MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **