Premier League preview: Bolton v Norwich

Norwich City continue their search for their first Premier League win since May 2005 when they travel to Bolton on Saturday.

Paul Lambert’s side have picked up two draws and two defeats from their four matches since their return to the top flight, which sees them in 17th position, just three spots below Bolton, who have won once but lost on three occasions.

With both sides at the wrong end of the table, the match is shaping to be a crucial one and Norwich, who won promotion from the Championship last season, will see their trip north as a perfect chance to get the monkey off their back and notch their first win of the season.

The Canaries were beaten 1-0 at home by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, and although the winners also missed a penalty, Norwich created their share of chances.

They showed enough quality to suggest they can pull off an upset against a Bolton side who lost 5-0 at home in their last outing.

But that was against Manchester United, who are scoring for fun at the moment, and Wanderers boss Owen Coyle will be pleased his side have a quick chance to respond in front of their home fans.

Bolton have scored seven goals already this season – with four of them coming in an opening-day win at QPR – and they seem to be coping fine without Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge, who both left the Reebok Stadium outfit at the end of last season after impressive campaigns.

Norwich’s main problem has been their ability to hit the back of the net, with just three goals in four matches.

They will have opportunities against a Bolton side that have conceded 11 goals in their last three appearances, and their ability to convert chances may prove crucial.

Injury wise, Bolton have a host of names sidelined with Marcos Alonso (metatarsal), Sean Davis (knee), Sam Ricketts (calf), Lee Chung-Yong (broken leg) and Tyrone Mears (broken leg) all on the sidelines.

Norwich City will be without defenders Zak Whitbread (hamstring), Daniel Ayala (knee) and Elliott Ward (knee) for the match, while forward James Vaughan is battling a facial injury after being elbowed by West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas in their last fixture.