Too early for this to be a relegation six-pointer? Both teams have accrued just six points to leave Bolton a place below Sunderland in third-bottom due to inferior goal difference – so Owen Coyle and Steve Bruce would admit privately that this a match each dare not lose. Sunderland have not won since Stoke were beaten 4-0 over a month ago so Bruce's position must be under pressure. The word is that Coyle is currently more secure with last week's timely 3-1 win at Wigan, a result that ended his side's six-match losing streak. Jamie Jackson

Venue Reebok Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £22-28 (08448 712932)

Last season Bolton 1 Sunderland 2

Referee Mike Jones

This season's matches 6 Y28, R3, 5.17 cards per game

Odds Bolton 13-10 Sunderland 5-2 Draw 12-5

Bolton

Subs from Bogdna, Steinsson, Muamba, Gardner, Knight, Blake, M Davies, Vela, Kakuta, Tuncay, Riley, Klasnic, Eaves

Doubtful None

Injured Alonso (match fitness, 6 Nov), Mears (broken leg, Mar), Holden (knee, Apr), Lee (broken leg, May), Davis (knee, unknown), Ricketts (achilles, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide WLLLLL

Disciplinary record Y17 R2

Leading scorer Klasnic 3

Sunderland

Subs from Westwood, Laing, Meyler, Elmohamady, Richardson, Gardner, Vaughan, Ji, McLean, Cook, Angeleri

Doubtful None

Injured Gordon (knee, 26 Nov), Campbell (knee, Mar)

Suspended Bramble (club suspension)

Form guide LDLWLD

Disciplinary record Y16 R1

Leading scorer Larsson 3

Match pointers

• Sunderland have won their last four league meetings with Bolton, conceding only one goal in the process

• Only Sunderland (10 games in 2003-05) and Derby (seven in 2007-8) have lost more home Premier League matches in a row than Bolton (six)

• Eight of Sebastian Larsson's last 14 top-flight goals have come from direct free-kicks

• Bolton have been caught offside fewer times (eight) than any other side

• Sunderland conceded the quickest goal of the season so far after 29 seconds of their defeat at Arsenal last week