Bolton Wanderers can feel themselves getting dragged back into the relegation mire and will be desperate for three points against Watford on Saturday to give themselves a bit more breathing space.

The Trotters host the Hornets at the Reebok Stadium looking for their first win in nine league matches, a run that has seen them ship seven goals to Reading and five to Leicester City.

They have tightened up their defence in recent weeks, only conceding more than one goal once in their last five, but they have also had problems at the other end of the pitch.

Dougie Freedman's side have found the net just four times in their last five games, picking up just two points in that time.

Indeed, that poor record stretches back to just four points from the last 27 available, leaving them down in 19th place and just six points off the relegation zone.

Defeat on Saturday could see them drop down to 21st, depending on results elsewhere, while a win will not see them climb any places due to their inferior goal difference compared to those above them.

Only three teams have picked up fewer points at home than Bolton this season and they have won just twice in front of their own fans, the last of which came on December 7.

Since then, they have drawn four matches and lost once at the Reebok, and their tally of nine home draws for the season is the highest in the league.

Freedman could have Liam Trotter back available for selection after he missed last weekend's draw with Millwall, but he will be without Stuart Holden, Joe Riley and Marc Tierney, while Andre Moritz is a doubt.

Watford, meanwhile, have turned their season around after a poor run of form saw them slip away from playoff contention and into midtable mediocrity.

They have shown signs of making another push for the top six late on, but to do so they can't afford many more slip-ups like their goalless draw with Yeovil Town on Tuesday.

That result did, however, make it five games without defeat for Giuseppe Sannino's side, while they have kept clean sheets in their last three and only Leicester City have scored against them since the end of January.

They are still eight points behind sixth-placed Reading, though, and maximum points in their next five games - all against struggling opposition - is a must if they want to make a genuine push for the playoffs.

The Hornets have found things difficult on the road this season, with no wins in their last nine and just three all season.

However, while Bolton are draw specialists at home, Watford hold the same title away and, mirroring their opponents on Saturday, their nine draws on their travels is the highest total in the league.

Incredibly, eight of those draws have come in their last nine away games, with the only exception being a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

If they are to end that winless run, they will have to do so without Samba Diakite, who remains suspended, while Lewis McGugan is also a doubt.

Recent form

Bolton: LLLDLD

Watford: LWDWWD

Possible starting lineups

Bolton: Bogdan; Ream, Mills, Wheater, Baptiste; Davies, Spearing; Lee, Trotter, Eagles; Jutkiewicz

Watford: Almunia; Doyley, Cassetti, Angella; Faraoni, Murray, Battocchio, Tozser, Pudil; Deeney, Ranegie

Sports Mole says: 0-0

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