Blackburn Rovers v Bolton - Tuesday 20th December (Sky Sports 1, 8pm)
It is a case of now or never for Premier League bosses Steve Kean and Owen Coyle. The managers find themselves under severe pressure following the shocking form of their respective teams this season. Defeats at the weekend have done nothing to silence their critics and in a slice of fixture list magic the two struggling managers face each other on Tuesday when 19th place Blackburn host rock-bottom Bolton at Ewood Park in a match that has all the ingredients of a Christmas cracker. It may not have the glitz and glamour of a top of the table showdown but this crunch clash is being billed as make-or-break as the losing manager will almost certainly be out of a job come the New Year.
On Saturday Bolton slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat after losing 2-0 to Fulham, while Rovers suffered a last gasp 2-1 loss at home to West Brom. Rovers' owners Venky's have so far showed remarkable loyalty to Kean in stark contrast to the supporters who have been calling for his head for what seems like an eternity now. Following the defeat to WBA Kean strongly reiterated that he would not quit the club but if they lose on Tuesday then surely the owners will have to take action. Meanwhile, Bolton's Chairman Phil Gartside has publically backed Coyle in recent weeks but he too will have to make a big decision if his side fall to their fourteenth defeat of the season. Kean remains the odds on favourite in the Next Premier League Manager To Be Sacked Betting while Coyle currently has odds of 7/4.
Both beleaguered teams will be acutely aware that West Brom (2005) are the only club to avoid relegation after being bottom at Christmas. Blackburn are the 11/10 favourites with Stan James to collect a valuable three points on Tuesday, while Bolton can be backed at 11/4 to win their first match since the start of November, with a draw available at 12/5.
All odds available with Stan James.
