MANCHESTER CENTRAL HOST BOLTON UNITED IN TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH

Manchester Central look to get back to winning ways on Saturday against a side they have been familiar with over the course of last season.

They face last season’s Division Two Champions Bolton United in what could be an early preview of who we could expect to see fighting for the Division One title at the end of this campaign.

Central will have no shortage of motivation heading into this one, considering they ended last season winless against Bolton. They will be looking for early retribution in what will be a thrilling encounter at Seashell’s Trust.

Last time out in Division One football, Central were on the wrong side of an eight-goal thriller away from home at Avro, dropping their first points of the season after winning their opening three games.

Bolton United however will look to make it back-to-back victories, coming off the back of an impressive 4-1 away win at Boothstown. That win was after a hefty 4-1 loss at Hindley Juniors, so Bolton will be looking to build momentum once the whistle blows on Saturday afternoon.

Central must keep their eye on Bolton’s main threat so far this season, Abdulah Sakeel, who has begun the 2022/23 season in style, netting four times in the opening three games, which included two in their latest win over Boothstown.

The home side won’t be without their own threats of course, Fuad Kasali has picked up where he left off last season, netting three in four, including two in the defeat against Avro Reserves.

Central head into their fifth game of the campaign leading the league in goals scored, having already scored 11, but they have already conceded nine times. Central must look to tighten up defensively if they want any shot of maintaining a substantial title challenge.

The visitors have also enjoyed scoring goals in this campaign so far, scoring four times in two of their three games, however, have also displayed their vulnerabilities losing 4-1 to Hindley.

Central manager Chris Tomkinson and his side will take encouragement from this especially considering their strengths lie in the attacking third of the pitch and because of this, they must start fast against Bolton and prevent the visitors from getting a hold on the game.

This game may be considered a match that Central need to win by Chris Tomkinson, not only because of the title ramifications, but also to avoid a unneeded momentum swing at the top of the table.

Chris Tomkinson has revealed early team news ahead of the Bolton clash. He will have a relatively full squad to select from, however he will be without Ruben Abreu and Rory Robertson who miss out to injury and suspension, respectively.

Aria Asqari and Dan Cooke are unavailable for selection this weekend however Tomkinson does have Jefferson Abreu back for selection.

Central aim to get back on track on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Bolton United in a game where the top two meet in a highly anticipated clash. A win for Central will see them go six points clear of Bolton whereas a win for Bolton will see them leapfrog Central to the top of the standings.