Premier League preview: Bolton v Sunderland

After picking up their second league win with a 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers take on fellow strugglers Sunderland at home on Saturday.
After a miserable run of 11 losses in 12 league games stretching back to last season, Bolton finally grabbed the three points with goals from Nigel Reo-Coker, former Liverpool striker David Ngog and an injury-time strike from Chris Eagles.

The win lifted Bolton off the bottom of the table and manager Owen Coyle will be pushing his men for further success against the Black Cats.

Sunderland are level on points with goal difference keeping Steve Bruce’s men just out of the bottom three.

An embattled Bruce did himself no favours after Sunderland's 2-1 loss against Arsenal made him the odds-on favourite for the sack as the Black Cats dropped to 17th.

Sunderland’s exit from the Carling Cup in the second round following a 1-0 defeat to Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion might not have done Bruce any favours but the added distraction might yet prove a blessing if Sunderland can take all three points against Bolton.

Captain Lee Cattermole continues to struggle as he was replaced by Craig Gardner against Arsenal.

Ji Dong-Won, who came on for Sebastian Larsson against Arsenal, has already scored this season for Sunderland and with Asamoah Gyan in the UAE on loan, Bruce will have no choice but to hope that his Korean investment pays off.

With the two clubs already battling for relegation survival, a win for either side will be a massive boost as the points start to dry up against higher placed sides.

This one will go down to the wire but if Coyle can bolster the backline at home, Bolton might just edge it.