UEFA cup: Bolton Wanderers vs. Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid go into this game after a morale boosting two nil away win at Racing de Santander at the weekend which put them back into fourth spot in La Liga and have regained their form just when they need it the most. Diego Forlan scored twice after an eight game goal draught, and Sergio Agüero made it through eighty minutes after his ankle injury threatened to keep him out for much longer. Atlético coach Javier Aguirre is having tremendous problems owing to players out through injury or suspension. Pablo Garcia and ex- Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia won’t be playing due to accumulating yellow cards, and the infirmary is practically full.  Leo Franco, Zé Castro, Valera and Seitaridis are all definitely out, while Thiago Motta and Fabiano Eller are still doubtful.

Bolton though have their own problems. They have won once in the last six games and are immersed in a relegation battle. They are currently fifteenth in the English Premier league and just three points from safety. Their biggest problem though would seem to be finding someone to fill the gap left by Anelka’s departure to Chelsea. Bolton have scored just five times in the last seven games and this doesn’t look like changing soon. This will be the first time Bolton’s Reebok Stadium sees a full house for a European match, and the fans will want to make a lot of noise to lift their team. Whether their help will be enough though is doubtful, as even with seven players missing from the line up Atlético Madrid are still the clear favorites to take this first leg. Bolton surprised many in the group stage of the UEFA cup by drawing two goals apiece against mighty Bayern Munich away so anything can happen. However, that was back in November, and since then they have won just six times in seventeen games in all competitions. I think Bolton will take the game to Atlético and give it their best, but in the end the Spanish side’s superior quality will win through.

Prediction: Away win (0-2)