Wanderers' are hoping to cash in on the misfortunes of others as they bid to get back among the Division One pacemakers.

Two home games in four days against struggling London clubs - Crystal Palace and QPR - offer the prospect of a much-needed six-point haul.

Maximum points would check the slide, which has seen Wanderers slip out of the top three with a return of just six points from seven games, and restore confidence, which has been dented by a succession of mishaps and hard luck stories.

And conditions could not be better.

Palace, although brimming with a wealth of experience and big money signings, come to the Reebok on Saturday with a record of six successive defeats - the latest setback coming at home to Grimsby on Tuesday night - which have seen them slump to second bottom of the division.

Next Tuesday's visitors, QPR, are faring little better. Their 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday last night, left them just three points and three places higher than their London neighbours.

Sam Allardyce, who is hoping the wheel of fortune will turn after Tuesday's bitter disappointment at Watford, is resigned to being without Dean Holdsworth again as the striker struggles to overcome groin and hamstring strains. But Ian Marshall, who missed the Watford game with a groin strain, should be fit.

One particularly bright note for the manager in the encouraging but unsuccessful performance at Vicarage Road, was the form of teenage midfielder Kevin Nolan.

The 18-year-old, who missed the start of the season after breaking his wrist on the pre-season United States tour, gave a mature display, prompting the manager to make particular mention of his prospects.

"Young Kevin looks like he is going to be an extremely good player." he enthused.

Wanderers and Burnden plc chairman, Phil Gartside, will be the guest speaker at tonight's Bolton Wanderers Supporters Association meeting in the Reebok's Lion of Vienna Suite (7.45).