A few weeks ago, this had the makings of a clear-cut home win though Wolves’ recent rally away from the relegation zone and Arsenal’s injury problems makes the fixture more awkward for the hosts. Arsène Wenger lost Cesc Fábregas, William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin against Barcelona. Add to that the reality that this team departs for Spain on Monday and their resources appear perilously stretched. They can ill afford anything but a victory to retain their title hopes. Wolves, settled and almost safe, last beat Arsenal in 1979 but might arrive hopeful of a repeat. Dominic Fifield

Venue Emirates Stadium, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season n/a

Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 22 Y84, R8, 4.18 cards per game

Odds Arsenal 1-4 Wolves 16-1 Draw 11-2

Arsenal

Subs from Fabianski, Mannone, Traoré, Silvestre, Mérida, Sagna, Eastmond, Eduardo, Rosicky, Coquelin

Doubtful None

Injured Arshavin (calf, May), Djourou (knee, May), Gallas (calf, May), Van Persie (ankle, May), Fábregas (fractured leg, Aug), Gibbs (foot, Aug), Ramsey (broken leg, Oct)

Suspended None

Form guide DWWWWW

Disciplinary record Y46 R1

Leading scorer Fábregas 15

Wolves

Subs from Hennessey, Vokes, Milijas, Guédioura, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Ward, Edwards, Iwelumo, Halford, Stearman, Surman, Mujangi Bia, Castillo

Doubtful Ebanks-Blake (virus)

Injured Murray (knee, 11 Apr), Kightly (ankle/knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide DWDWLL

Disciplinary record Y61 R3

Leading scorer Doyle 7

Match pointers

• Wolves have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions

• If selected, Manuel Almunia will be making his 100th Premier League appearance for Arsenal

• Wolves have picked up as many points away from home (16) as Liverpool this season

• Arsenal have caught an opponent offside on more occasions (119) than any other team

• Jody Craddock has scored an own goal in two of the three Premier League meetings between these sides

Premier LeagueArsenalWolverhampton Wanderersguardian.co.uk

Bolton received a more positive estimate on centre-back Gary Cahill – an initial three-month lay-off due to a blood clot downsized to four weeks – but their biggest problem is at the other end of the field. Owen Coyle’s team have not scored for 505 minutes in the Premier League, a spell which has coincided with a slip into the relegation zone, while their fellow Wanderers’ 21 goals represents the top-flight’s joint-lowest return. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, whose side begin a point better off, said: “Let’s not go up there and make it a really open game and find ourselves 1-0 down and struggling.” Expect a thriller. Richard Gibson

Venue Reebok Stadium

Tickets £23-31 (0844 871 2932)

Last season n/a

Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 18 Y70, R7, 4.28 cards per game

Odds Bolton 10-11 Wolves 10-3 Draw 12-5

Bolton

Subs from Al Habsi, Elmander, Wilshere, Weiss, Ward, Samuel, A O’Brien, Shittu, Riga, Cohen, Holden, Vaz Tê

Doubtful Steinsson (leg)

Injured Cahill (arm, 20 Mar), Basham (knee, Apr), MacCann (ankle, Apr), Davis (knee, May), M Davies (ankle, unknown), J O’Brien (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LDLDLW

Disciplinary record Y52 R2

Leading scorer Klasnic 6

Wolves

Subs from Hennessey, Stearman, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake, Mancienne, Surman, Halford, Vokes, Milijas, Friend, Mujangi Bia, Maierhofer, Castillo

Doubtful Keogh (ankle)

Injured Edwards (ankle, 6 Mar), Kightly (foot, 6 Mar), Murray (knee, 6 Mar), Ward (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide LWLDDL

Disciplinary record Y48 R3

Leading scorer Doyle 6

Match pointers

• Bolton have failed to score in their last five top-flight matches – they have never gone six without scoring in the Premier League

• Four of the last six meetings between these sides have ended with a 2-1 scoreline

• Under Owen Coyle Bolton have averaged 0.63 points and 0.38 goals per game compared to 1.00 and 1.12 respectively with Gary Megson as manager

• Only Portsmouth (30) have used more players than Wolves (29) this season

• A win for Bolton would be their 50th victory over Wolves in all competitions

Bolton WanderersWolverhampton WanderersPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk