Premier League preview: Bolton v QPR

Bolton Wanderers host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday in a match which could prove crucial to both teams’ top flight survival hopes.

Promoted side QPR are 16th on the English Premier League table, clear of the relegation zone on goal difference only, after failing to win in their last five matches.

Bolton’s position is even more precarious – they are second-from-bottom, two points adrift of safety and level on points with last-placed Wigan Athletic.

Their last league victory came on January 22 at home to an out-of-sorts Liverpool team.

Bolton followed that up with a credible 0-0 draw at Arsenal, and have enjoyed some success in the FA Cup.

But defeat in their last four Premier League outings has left Owen Coyle’s team desperate for points if they are to extend their 11-year stay at the highest level.

QPR’s last match ended in a 1-1 draw at home Everton, with January signing Bobby Zamora cancelling out Royston Drenthe’s opener for the visitors.

Their manager, Mark Hughes, will know the importance of picking up points against fellow relegation candidates such as Bolton, as QPR face arguably the toughest run-in of any team in the bottom six.

In 11 games between now and the end of the season, they host Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road, and must also go away to Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Owen Coyle should feel relieved by comparison to his counterpart’s fixture list. A home match with Tottenham is Bolton’s only fixture against a team in the top five.

They also have the opportunity to pick up valuable points with a succession of matches against fellow strugglers Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Injuries have plagued Bolton this season, and they continue to struggle without key men.

Long-term absentees Tyrone Mears, Chung-Yong Lee, Stuart Holden and Ricardo Gardner are unlikely to play again this season.

Key forward Kevin Davies is also in doubt for Saturday’s match due to a knee injury.

QPR also have availability issues for their trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Alejandro Faurlin is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Kieron Dyer and Heidar Helguson are sidelined indefinitely by foot and groin problems respectively.

Finally, striker DJ Campbell will not return from a hamstring strain until late March.