Bullish Bolton shoot for Europe

By Tim Dykes

Bolton Wanderers FC have a golden chance to move into the Premiership's fourth UEFA Champions League qualification berth when they take on lowly Southampton FC at the Reebok stadium on Tuesday night. Sam Allardyce's side will leapfrog Everton FC, who play Manchester United FC on Wednesday, if they pick up three points.

Unbeaten streak
Bolton are on a run of four Premiership wins in five matches, and moved above Liverpool FC into fifth place on Saturday after winning 2-1 away to Charlton Athletic FC. They face a Southampton team against whom they have not lost in their last eight league and cup meetings, a streak stretching back to September 2001. The solitary goalscorer for Southampton that day, Marians Pahars, had hoped to return against Bolton after a long lay-off but has picked up a minor groin strain.

Injuries overcome
However, centre-half Andreas Jakobsson and midfield player Nigel Quashie, both injured in Southampton's 3-2 defeat by Aston Villa FC on Saturday, should be available. Harry Redknapp's side are a point adrift of safety in the relegation zone and have won once away from home in the Premiership in their last 18 attempts.

European return
Fulham FC travel north to Middlesbrough FC in the evening's other game, with Steve McClaren's team looking for a victory to boost their hopes of a second successive UEFA Cup campaign. Three points would lift Middlesbrough into the all-important seventh spot, although 16th-placed Fulham still need points to vanquish their fading relegation fears.

Zenden hope
Papa Bouba Diop could return from a hamstring strain to feature for the London club, who have not defeated Middlesbrough away from home since 1984. McClaren, who is hoping Boudewijn Zenden recovers from his ankle ligament injury in time, said: "If we can qualify for Europe for a second season it would be a great achievement but there's still much work to be done."