France striker Anelka will be aiming to improve on his nine-goal tally for Wanderers at Eastlands.
City have chalked up eight straight Barclays Premier League wins, amassing 24 points.
But Anelka, who scored in the 4-1 victory against Wigan at the weekend, is in a good run of form and eager to show what he can do when he faces his old club.
Eriksson said: "Anelka has everything you could wish for from a striker.
"He has good technique, pace, is big and strong and scores goals.
"I have known about Anelka since he played for Arsenal. I came close to buying him at Lazio - but he wanted to go to the Premier League instead.
"He has done well at any club he has played for. He is a fantastic player.
Qualities
"Anelka is one of the top scorers in the Premier League. That is not a bad achievement.
"While I admire his qualities, it is our job to try and stop him."
Eriksson could be boosted by the return of Elano after a two-match absence because of hamstring problem.
The creative Brazilian could hold the key to unlocking fast-improving Bolton.
Eriksson said: "Elano is back in training, and I am happy about that - because he is an important player for us."
Striker Darius Vassell is aiming to retain his place, after injuries hampered his progress and maintains he has no plans to leave.
He said: "There is competition for places here, and everyone is fighting for their place. That's the way it should be.
"The team is playing well. We are working hard together in an attempt to push ourselves up the table.
"We have started well, but it is important to build on that in the coming weeks.
"I love it at City and want to do well here. That has always been my objective.
"This is where I want to be, because it is where I will become a better player."
Do you think City will struggle to contain Anelka? Have your say.
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Blue Arab (14/12/2007 at 14:14)
add to that: for evry goal he scores, Elano will put two in. no problem.
paul,leve city blue., manchester. (14/12/2007 at 15:50)
& his eye for a goal but we now have better technically gifted players in the squad so his chances tomorrow should be limited.However most Blues would not be surprised if he scored, just as long as we get 1 more goal
than Bolton.
A Groenendijk (14/12/2007 at 16:00)
Alfons Groenendijk on the other hand would be a completley different scenario-sign him up!
Regards
'Bring back the fons campaign'
unless (14/12/2007 at 17:05)
Gary (14/12/2007 at 17:59)
sven is god, stretford (15/12/2007 at 13:06)
ho chee fatt (15/12/2007 at 14:17)
his play is only one dimensional only pace. can only beat players while chasing the ball - but not able to beat players with the ball cause he cannot dribble with ball - he can only kick and run.
he is also poor on one on one
and is often offside most times.
pace slackens when you reach 27/28 just like owen. players who do not depend on pace can still play well beyond 29/30 - like bernabia, beckham, mcalister, beardsley, le tissier
believe this will be one big mistake sven will make for city. another mistake in his previous clubs was veron - who imo is not a world class player as many said he was.
if anelka is that good, why is mu, chels, liv and ars not bidding for him???- cos they can see what sven can't see - that he is not just good enough. we need a powerful player who can take defenders on, dribble past players with the ball, shoot with both feet. and who can head the ball - believe anelka does not like to use his head!!!
adriano fits the bill perfectly - he is built for the premiership - he may not be fully fit right now, but when he gets fitter believe me he will be devastating and be one of the most feared strikers ever in the epl- definitely worth a try.
anelka is no thiery henry - if thaksin cannot persuade him otherwise, then my only hope is he gets a serious injury tonight so that we are unable to sign him in january.
anelka is simply not good enough in the epl. he is only a sprinter and chaser of balls. if we are looking for sprinters, we might as well get maurice green or any of the us olympic sprinters you can think off.
no to anelka cos his technical ability is simply not good enough. that is why ars and liv did not want to sign him on for a second time!
mc4life