FA Cup replay: Sunderland v Bolton preview

A look ahead to tonight's FA Cup Third Round replay at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill (GETTY IMAGES)

This fixture did not look likely to take place when Bolton took a 2-0 lead at the Reebok Stadium thanks to goals from Lee Chung-Yong and Marvin Sordell. However, Sunderland then roused themselves, Connor Wickham pulling a goal back and Craig Gardner blasting in the equaliser.

After Sunderland eased to a 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday, Martin O’Neill will be looking for a similar performance and result to set up a home tie against Everton later in the month. Wickham and new signing Alfred N’Diaye may earn starts if O’Neill opts to rotate his squad.

As for Bolton, they claimed another draw at the weekend, coming from behind to draw with Millwall. Dougie Freedman may give a debut to Craig Davies, signed from Barnsley last Wednesday, but Martin Petrov is likely to miss out as he looks set to leave the club.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Bolton 2 (Lee, Sordell) Sunderland 2 (Wickham, Gardner), FA Cup, January 2013

Sunderland 2 (Bendtner, McLean) Bolton 2 (K Davies 2), Premier League, April 2012

Bolton 0 Sunderland 2 (Sessegnon, Bendtner), Premier League, October 2011

STATS...

Sunderland are unbeaten in nine matches against Bolton, a run going back to a 4-1 Bolton win in November 2008.

Sunderland lead the FA Cup head-to-head record, with five wins to Bolton’s one.

ODDS...

Sunderland to win: 1.68

Bolton to win: 5.9

Draw: 4.1

TV: Highlights on ITV1 on Wednesday 16 January at 10.50pm.