It is a game they can ill-afford to lose and Neil Redfearn will be desperate for his side to show the best of themselves.
Here is an in-depth preview of the Macron Stadium clash.
Team news
Rotherham are unlikely to risk Aimen Belaid as he recovers
from a groin injury.
The Tunisian returned to light training on Thursday, but
looks set to miss out at the Macron Stadium.
And there is no better news with the Millers’ other
absentees as Lee Frecklington (hamstring), Leon Best (groin) and Stephen Kelly
(calf) are all still some way off fitness.
Redfearn is almost certain to start Andrew Shinnie in
the number 10 role, meaning Paul Green could miss out, while Luciano Becchio
will be hoping that the manager will deploy a 4-4-2 formation instead having been
brought on at half-time against Charlton.
What the manager says
Redfearn, who began his career at Bolton, knows his side
cannot afford to take the bottom-club lightly at the weekend.
The boss said: “We know that if we don’t get it right, if we’re
not at full tilt then we could get beaten.
“It’s a great game to play in, they’ve found a bit of form.
If you look at their squad, they should be mid-table.
“For one reason or another they have found themselves in
this position.
“You can attribute it to the strength of this division and
if you get on a bad run it is difficult to get out of. We’re doing well to be
swimming at this level and keeping our heads above water.”
The opposition
Redfearn is right to be wary of Neil Lennon’s side, who have
taken four points from their last two games.
They were easy 3-1 victors over MK Dons in their last home
encounter in the league while they produced a superb comeback to take a point against Wolves in
midweek having been 2-0 down going into the final 10 minutes.
Victory for Bolton will breathe further life into their bid
for the great escape and will take them to within a point of the Millers.
Darren Pratley, Gary Madine and Zach Clough are
all hoping to return to contention.
Skipper Pratley and striker Madine both missed the midweek
draw at Wolves due to back injuries, while Clough is closing in on a return
from a hip problem which has kept him out of the last five matches.
Things to look out for
How will the Millers respond?
The Millers have had a free week to cleanse their minds
after Saturday’s damaging defeat against Charlton. Although the nature of the
loss was alarming, the Millers could easily have taken something out of the
game had key incidents gone differently, but they simply have to produce a
response in Lancashire. There have been plenty of low moments under Redfearn so
far, but they have in the main been followed by an impressive response. The
harrowing defeat to Ipswich was followed by a 1-0 win at Leeds while a 2-0
success over Hull came just days after a horror show at Huddersfield. There has
to be a similar sort of response on Saturday.
Bolton looking for revenge
While the Millers have reason to be at it on Saturday, so do
Bolton. Their 4-0 reverse at New York Stadium on Boxing Day was their lowest
point of the season and had boss Lennon fearing the sack. They will fancy
their chances of redemption as well, with performances and results in recent
weeks improving. They took fellow relegation rivals MK Dons to the cleaners in
their last home game and will hope for a repeat against the Millers.
Time for two up top?
Redfearn has said for some time that his ideal formation is
4-4-2, yet has not felt able to start with that on too many occasions. He came
under heavy criticism from fans last week for only playing one up front, though
the Millers hardly improved after the break when they did play two in attack. However,
he could be tempted to go with that formation from the off against Bolton, with
Luciano Becchio now having enough fitness in his legs to potentially start.
However, with Redfearn also keen to get Andrew Shinnie into his side, he may
stick with just Danny Ward in attack, leaving Becchio as an option off the
bench.
Pick your starting XI
So, with those posers for Redfearn in mind, what side would
you pick at the Macron Stadium?
Stats
Rotherham’s last five games: LWLDL
Bolton’s last five games: LWWLD
Head-to-head record against Bolton: P37 W17 D13 L7
Last time at Bolton: Bolton 3 Rotherham 2 (16 September
2014)
Predict the score
Who will come out on top at the Macron?
