West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
So for the first time since the Premiership began, the three clubs promoted from the first division have all survived to live another day in the top flight. And no-one has taken more pleasure in their clubs survival, and the surprise of many a pundit at the feat, than Sam Allardyce.
Certainly few expected the Trotters to be safe with two games to spare, as was the case this term. Manchester United's win at Ipswich meant that Bolton could relax for their last two games, and 'Big Sam' was plainly relieved that the champions had secured the points: "The tension has been building for a week and after not managing to clinch the points against Spurs or Fulham. It was the only time that Bolton fans were shouting for United. Now that they have won it feels great."
Bizarrely, it seems that the biggest reason for Bolton maintaining their Premiership status is their success against the bigger clubs in the division. Their win at Old Trafford and the fact that they managed to take four points off Liverpool will go down in Bolton folklore.
All of which means that, with West Ham having secured their own future thanks to a 2-0 win over Charlton at the start of April, this match will be played in a thoroughly relaxed atmosphere. The majority of players do not even have a national coach to impress - England for example having announced their party for Japan and South Korea during the week.
Indeed, the home side have no players outside of Sven's 23 who are travelling to the Far East, at least in a playing capacity. One Bolton player who should be on an eastbound plane is Youri Djorkaeff, whose performances for the Lancashire side since joining on loan look likely to be rewarded with a place in Roger Lemerre's French squad, ostensibly at the expense of Nicolas Anelka. Given that Djorkaeff signed for Bolton almost solely to try and force his way into the World Cup…job done.
But West Ham will of course be the favourites to take the points at Upton Park this weekend, given that it could allow the club to finish in an excellent 7th place, above London rivals Tottenham. More importantly they will want to repay the loyalty of their fans with one final home win - the club have clearly benefited from the time the supporters have given manager Glenn Roeder to settle following a shaky start in charge.
And revenge, albeit of the lukewarm variety, may be on the minds of the Hammers as well, following Bolton's 1-0 win over West Ham at the Reebok Stadium back in February. A home win seems on the cards this weekend - but even that is unlikely to prevent Trotters fans from grinning their way through the summer following a fine campaign.
Chris Green.
Match referee: M. Dean
Mike Dean has spent as much time in the Nationwide League this season as he has in the Premiership. This will be his 15th top-flight game - his second at Upton Park and his third featuring Bolton Wanderers.
Referee's Name FoulsPenaltiesYellow CardsRed CardsAve
Disc pointsM. Dean 333 3 41 2 36.69
PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD
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TEAM NEWS
Paolo Di Canio has failed to recover from a knee injury so top scorer Jermain Defoe will continue alongside Freddie Kanoute in attack Sebastian Schemmel also misses out, while Nigel Winterburn will be making his last appearance for the club.
Bolton midfielder Stig Tofting could return to the side against West Ham after a seven-match absence with a foot injury. Fellow midfielders Paul Warhurst and Kevin Nolan are doubtful with calf and groin problems.
MATCH BETTING
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Match Result
West Ham 4/7
Draw 13/5
Bolton 4/1
Correct Score
West Ham 1-0 6/1
West Ham 2-0 11/2
West Ham 2-1 7/1
West Ham 3-0 10/1
West Ham 3-1 10/1
West Ham 3-2 28/1
West Ham 4-0 25/1
West Ham 4-1 22/1
West Ham 4-2 50/1
West Ham 5-0 50/1
West Ham 5-1 50/1
West Ham 6-0 100/1
West Ham 6-1 100/1
Draw 0-0 10/1
Draw 1-1 13/2
Draw 2-2 16/1
Draw 3-3 50/1
Bolton 1-0 9/1
Bolton 2-0 22/1
Bolton 2-1 16/1
Bolton 3-0 66/1
Bolton 3-1 50/1
Bolton 3-2 40/1
Bolton 4-0 100/1
Bolton 4-1 100/1
Bolton 4-2 100/1
Double Result
West Ham/West Ham 11/8
West Ham/Draw 16/1
West Ham/Bolton 45/1
Draw/West Ham 7/2
Draw/Draw 9/2
Draw/Bolton 9/1
Bolton/West Ham 28/1
Bolton/Draw 16/1
Bolton/Bolton 9/1
First Goalscorer
F Kanoute 4/1
J Defoe 4/1
P Kitson 13/2
R Garcia 8/1
T Sinclair 12/1
J Cole 14/1
M Carrick 14/1
L Courtois 16/1
S Lomas 20/1
J Moncur 20/1
V Labant 25/1
I Pearce 33/1
T Repka 40/1
S Minto 40/1
C Dailly 50/1
H Foxe 50/1
N Winterburn 50/1
No Goalscorer 10/1
M Ricketts 13/2
F Bobic 13/2
R Wallace 7/1
D Holdsworth 8/1
Y Djorkaeff 8/1
K Nolan 12/1
H Pedersen 12/1
R Gardener 16/1
P Frandsen 20/1
S Tofting 20/1
N Southall 20/1
G Farrelly 25/1
J Johnsen 25/1
P Warhurst 33/1
G Bergsson 40/1
B N'gotty 40/1
K Konstantinidis 50/1
S Charlton 50/1
M Whitlow 50/1
A Barness 66/1
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