Tottenham vs. Bolton: FA Cup Quarterfinal Preview

With the FA Cup quarterfinal matchup between Tottenham and Bolton just a day away, let's look ahead to the match. It could be important for both sides.

Tottenham form

Spurs' recent form has been very poor by their standards.  

After looking like they were a serious contender for this season's Premier League title, Tottenham have faded quickly and steeply.

Suddenly, they find themselves struggling to hang on to a Champions League spot after three consecutive league losses.

The midfield, which was their strongest attribute, has gone missing—perhaps because of their insistence on playing out of position. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adebayor and the rest of the team's strikers have played poorly and failed to bulge the net.

Bolton form

A win at home to QPR may have lifted them out of the relegation zone, but Bolton had one point and one goal in the five matches prior to that.

What's more, that win against Rangers was certainly not lacking in controversy. QPR's first-half goal was adjudged to have not crossed the line by the referees, while replays showed that it did.

Cup Runs

In the third round, Tottenham easily did away with League Two side Cheltenham Town at White Hart Lane, while Bolton needed a replay to get past League Two's Macclesfield Town.

In the fourth round, Tottenham squeezed past Watford at Vicarage Road, while Bolton got past Swansea.

It was Tottenham's turn to struggle in the fifth round, when they required a replay to get past Stevenage. Meanwhile, Bolton beat Millwall.

Previous Meetings

In a Premier League match in October, Tottenham beat Bolton 3-0 thanks to goals scored by Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe.

However, this was when Tottenham were on the top of their form and Gareth Bale was playing emotionally following the death of Gary Speed.

Plus, the match was greatly affected by the dismissal of Bolton defender Gary Cahill, who you probably know was transferred to Chelsea in January.

Injuries

For Tottenham, Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone have been ruled out, while Emmanuel Adebayor and Ledley King are questionable.

For Bolton, Tyrone Mears and Marcos Alonso are out, while Stuart Holden may make a return.

Prediction

Tottenham 3-1 Bolton.

Spurs book a trip to Wembley and take a step toward rediscovering their goal-scoring touch.