Bolton Wanderers

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V BOLTON WANDERERS

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 13th August 2011; 15:00 BST
Venue: Loftus Road

PREVIEW

The country is in utter disarray and the on-going riots are threatening to wreak havoc on this weekend’s opening fixtures in the Barclay’s Premier League, with Queens Park Ranger’s first top-flight fixture for almost sixteen-years one of a number of games which could be postponed due to safety reasons. However should the game get the green light, Rangers will fancy their chances on the quiet of making a winning start upon their return to England’s top-tier.

Owen Coyle’s Bolton are the first visitors to Loftus Road and the Wanderers manager will have no doubt done his homework ahead of the match, enabling him to recognise not only his opponent’s strengths but also his own team’s flaws.

A well-organised rearguard is what the Trotters will have to break through if they’re to avoid starting this campaign as they finished the last, which was any number of things; leaking goals, not really scoring, failing to pick up points, and struggling severely to even compete on their travels. In fact, Bolton collected just the one solitary point from their final 12 away league fixtures, 11 of which were defeats.

Bolton’s record in the capital was also a retched one, losing four of five away at Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham and Tottenham, to a scoring aggregate of 5-11. That one exemption was a 3-1 victory at Upton Park over West Ham, who were later relegated after finishing bottom.

In stark contrast to how poorly their visitors travelled last term, QPR’s record at home during 2010-2011, en route to becoming champions of the Championship, was exceptional. Only Swansea could boast a better goal difference on their own turf than Neil Warnock’s side (43-15), who lost just two of twenty-three at Loftus Road.

TEAM PREVIEWS

Queens Park Rangers

Big things were expected of Championship champions Queens Park Rangers over the summer, a club with some financial clout under the ownership of F1′s Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore. Instead, however, manager Neil Warnock – who has been philosophical about all the commotion going on behind the scenes – has done all he can working on what could only be described as a shoestring budget in a bid to increase Ranger’s chance of staying up this season.

So far, striker DJ Campbell is the only player to have joined Loftus Road  that commanded a fee, with Warnock and Rangers parting with £2M for the former Blackpool hitman, who scored no fewer than thirteen times in the Premier League last season. The rest – former West Ham duo Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer, and England international Jay Bothroyd – were all recruited on free transfers.

Despite all this, Neil Warnock cannot speak highly enough of his summer acquisitions and believes this self-assembled squad of his do have what it takes to not only mix it with some of the best in the country but  also ensure the club don’t finish inside the bottom-three. His team’s stats from last season would back up his sentiments; no team in the Championship kept more clean sheets or conceded fewer goals over the course of the season than Rangers, who also only lost just twice at Loftus Road in the league.

Having a solid defence will only get you so far though, and in goalkeeper Paddy Kenny Rangers have one of the most underrated shot-stoppers in the country. However, a lot will depend on how effectively the midfield utilise possession, and how quickly new strike-duo DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd hit it off. Scotland forward Jamie Mackie is still recovering from a broken leg.

Bolton Wanderers

Although their form did take a serious nosedive in the second half of last season, Bolton remained one of the eye-catchers of 2010-2011. The Trotters played some beautiful football on occasions under Owen Coyle, who in his first full spell in charge almost performed minor miracles in guiding the club into the European places – Bolton were flirting with the top-six right up until Christmas, while reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup was an outstanding feat that everyone at the club should be immensely proud about.

However, if Bolton’s miserable finish to 2010-2011 told us anything it was that Owen Coyle desperately needed to strengthen over the summer in order to keep Bolton pushing in an upwards direction, especially after the departures of two of their leading goalscorer last season in Daniel Strurridge, who returned to his parent club Chelsea, and Johan Elmander; as well as amidst news that promising South Korean Chung-Yong Lee is out for the entire season with a broken leg and Stuart Holden won’t feature until October at the earliest as the American midfielder continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Yet Coyle’s summer additions have left us all feeling a little underwhelmed. Tyrone Mears, who unfortunately suffered a broken leg during pre-season, and Chris Eagles never really performed to a consistent level when asked to do so in the Premier League two-years ago with Burnley, while Nigel Reo-Coker, a free transfer from Aston Villa, has been on a downward spiral for some time now, hence why Villa put up no fight to keep the 27-year-old midfielder.

After ending the previous term with five straight defeats, it was clear the squad was in need of some fresh impotence. Perhaps we’ll see a few more arrive at The Reebok before the end of the window, I really don’t know. In the meantime, Owen Coyle must take an almost identical squad to Loftus Road for Saturday’s game with QPR that has lost eleven of its last twelve away Premiership fixtures, a run in which they failed to even find the back of the net on seven occasions.

TEAM NEWS

QPR boss Neil Warnock is still shorn of two of his strikers for Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Bolton, with Rob Hulse out injured with a knee problem while Jamie Mackie is continuing his rehabilitation from the broken leg he sustained in an FA Cup tie with Blackburn back in January. There has been non-stop speculation surrounding the future of Adel Tarrabt, however the Morrocan has been included in Warnock’s squad, as have a number of his summer signings: Danny Gabbidon, Bruno Perone, Kieron Dyer, Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell.

Unfortunate broken legs will keep new signing Tyrone Mears and South Korean Lee out of the Bolton set-up for a considerable period; however, manager Owen Coyle will nevertheless hand Nigel Reo-Coker and Chris Eagles their debuts on Saturday at Loftus Road. Former Middlesbrough and Stoke striker, Tuncay Sanli, completed his moves to The Reebok with Bolton on Monday but wasn’t granted a work permit in time and so will not feature at Loftus Road.

BETTING

Not even their superior amount of experience at this level has done Bolton much favours in the betting, with the Trotters as big as 9/4 with VictorChandler to secure maximum points for the first time in an away Premier League fixture since 13th November, 2010. However, Bolton have won four of the previous five competitive encounters.

These two sides have met in the Premier League before, mind, and on both occasions the London club prevailed. QPR are 7/5 with several firms, including Bet365 and WilliamHill, to maintain their 100% record against Bolton in the Premier League with victory at Loftus Road this weekend.

The draw, which may not be a bad shout what with QPR’s forward credentials still unknown and Bolton’s miserable recent run of having not scored in seven of their last eleven away league games. Coincidentally, 0-0 could be worth a punt.

Match Odds:

QPR - 7/5 (2.40) Bet365
Draw – 23/10 (3.30) Coral
Bolton – 2/1 (3.00) VictorChandler

My Prediction: Draw @ 23/10 (3.30) with Coral
Value Bet: 0-0 Draw @ 9/1 (10.00) with Totesport

This could be a tentative affair. I’d be surprised if there were too many goals, if any for that matter. Bolton are certainly the stronger in terms of personnel, and probably in terms of physicality and stature as well, so this is a difficult opener for Rangers, who were immense at home down in the Championship last season and will hope to seize upon Bolton’s dreadful away tendencies of conceding goals, scoring very few in return, and rarely collecting points. However, I’d be more inclined to back a low-scoring draw, just because this has the making of a tight, nervy opening fixture.

Arsenal

Manager: Arsene Wenger
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Star Man: Robin Van Persie
2010-2011 Position: 4th

Summer Transfer Activity (Notable Transfers)

Arrivals – Carl Jenkinson, Gervinho

Departures – Denilson (Loan), Gael Clichy (Man City), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Jens Lehmann (retired)

Overview: There is discontent within the Arsenal supporter ranks following yet another pre-season of high-drama and very few arrivals, as preparations ahead of the new campaign have once again been curtailed by this on-going – and frankly now boring – transfer saga involving Cesc Fabregas and long-time admirers Barcelona. Unfortunately for Arsenal, there is more chance of that dealing being finalised before the end of the transfer window than not.

But even more detrimental to the club’s chances of ending their six-year wait for silverware was hearing of Samir Nasri’s attempts to try and engineer a move away from the Emirates over the summer, with both Manchester clubs monitoring the French midfielder’s situation. Wenger, though, is determined to keep Nasri at the club, whatever the cost it would seem, even if it means losing the talented midfielder on a free transfer next summer – but even if he does stay put, surely Nasri’s commitment to the cause will now have to be questioned?

In terms of incoming transfers, Gervinho has joined from French champions Lille and does look an exciting prospect. Carl Jenkinson has also joined the Gunners from Charlton Athletic. But you feel more signings are needed if Arsenal are to better their last season’s efforts, when they could only finish fourth behind Chelsea, Man City and champions Man Utd, whom they were twelve-points adrift of.

Heck, could their top-four status be under threat? Both Liverpool and Man City have strengthened considerably over the summer, while I’m sure their North London rivals will also be gunning for Wenger’s men.

ARSENAL TO BE CROWNED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: 11/1 BETFRED

Aston Villa

Manager: Alex McLeish
Stadium: Villa Park
Star Man: Darren Bent
2010-2011 Position: 9th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Shay Given (Man City), Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan)

Departures – John Carew, Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Brad Friedel (Tottenham), Robert Pires, Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton), Ashley Young (Man Utd)

Overview: Aston Villa was a club seemingly on the up back in January, that despite their involvement in a relegation dogfight, as Darren Bent’s arrival from Sunderland appeared to have signalled the club’s second coming. However, just a few months on and two of their stand-out performers from last season, wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, both secured upward moves to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.

Villa did of course profit handsomely from the sales of both Englishmen (Around £40M in total), and they appear to have bought shrewdly in the form of former Wigan wide-man Charles N’Zogbia for just £9.5M, who could be a useful servant to the usually prolific Darren Bent, as well as acquiring Shay Given from Man City, with the Republic of Ireland shot-stopper replacing Brad Friedel who departed for Tottenham in the summer.

Among those to have also left the Midlands since the end of last season are midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Robert Pires, as well as ftriker John Carew – a few of their hefty earners, with all three having been released by the club.

Finally, fans were not impressed – incensed being the appropriate word – when club owner, Randy Lerner, announced that former Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish – who resigned from the St Andrews post at the end of last season after failing to keep the Blues in the top-flight – would be Gerard Houllier’s long-term successor. To say the pressure is on ‘Big Eck’ right from the off would be a massive understatement, with the supporters now demanding a return to European contention.

DARREN BENT TOP GOALSCORER: 14/1 PADDYPOWER

Blackburn Rovers

Manager: Steve Kean
Stadium: Ewood Park
Star Man: Paul Robinson (GK)
2010-2011 Position: 15th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Myles Anderson, David Goodwillie

Departures – Benjani, Frank Fielding, Phil Jones (Man Utd)

Overview: When Blackburn’s relatively new owners completed their purchase of Blackburn Rovers FC some six months ago, they announced that Champions League football was their primary aim shortly before handing Sam Allardyce his marching orders in a move which enraged the LMA and most neutrals but was surprisingly welcomed with open arms by a large portion of Rovers’ supporters.

A new brand of attractive football was supposedly on the horizon, and Venky’s quick-fire solution was to promote Steve Kean to manager. A bizarre move considering funds aren’t in short supply, according to the owners anyway, yet they opt for a man with absolutely no managerial experience at this level and whom will cost them pittance to keep on.

Furthermore, the club are still a million miles off even competing for a top-four finish, while they haven’t even come good on their promise to bring a so-called ‘marquee signing’ to the club despite several humbling attempts to bring the likes of David Beckham and Luis Fabiano to Lancashire.

Throw in a quiet summer, that floundered when Phil Jones was sold to Manchester United but turned a little brighter when Rovers swooped for Dundee’s David Goodwillie, and you’re struggling to envisage anything other than a typically ordinary season at Ewood Park, which at best will involve a mid-table finish and at worst, relegation. The latter certainly isn’t out of the question.

BLACKBURN TOP-TEN FINISH: 4/1 BET365

Bolton Wanderers

Manager: Owen Coyle
Stadium: Reebok Stadium
Star Man: Kevin Davies
2010-2011 Position: 14th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears, Darren Pratley (Swansea), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa),

Departures – Ali Al Habsi (Wigan), Joey O’Brien, Matthew Taylor,

Overview: The standard has been raised at Bolton Wanderers thanks in no small part to manager Owen Coyle, with the 45-year-old performing minor miracles during his first full season in charge.

Upon accepting the position as manager back in January 2010, Coyle inherited a team that was battling to stay in the division, who were positioned down near the basement of the league. However, not only did he successfully lead the Trotters to safety (2009-2010), he would later write his own chapter in Bolton folklore, leading an average-looking side to the semi-finals of the 2010-2011 FA Cup. The team were also European contenders for much of the league season, but unfortunately their form declined dramatically in the final few months – a ominous sign perhaps that the squad urgently needed reinforcements?

So what next for Coyle and Bolton? Well, I’m sure the manager will say survival is of the utmost importance, which does kind of go without saying, but after flirting with the Europa League spots for so long last season, could the team possibly push on and take the club to that next level?

Summer signings have been few and far between though, certainly exciting ones. Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles have joined from Burnley, Coyle’s former club, while Nigel Reo-Coker could prove a decent capture should the former Villa midfielder recapture his form of old that earned him an England call-up. And in the other direction went midfielder Matty Taylor and striker Johan Elmander.

BOLTON TOP-TEN FINISH: 9/4 BET365

Blackpool V Bolton Wanderers

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 14 May 2011 – 12:45 (GMT)
Venue: Bloomfield Road

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Preview

The reality of their dire situation finally hit home last Saturday, when Blackpool dropped into the relegation zone for the very first time just two games before the season draws to a close. But while there is still 180 minutes left to alter their destiny, many believe Saturday’s match is where the Tangerines’ fate lies.

So it’s now make of break for Ian Holloway’s side after they dropped into the bottom-three last weekend, despite earning a creditable 1-1 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The Seasiders face out of sorts Bolton Wanderers at the weekend, at Bloomfield Road, in an almost last-ditch attempt to keep alive their fading hopes of survival before making the formidable trip to Manchester to tackle champions-elect United at Old Trafford.

Defeat then, or possibly even a draw for that matter, would all but relegate Blackpool on spot even though Manchester United will more than likely field a second string outfit on the very last day of the season. Only West Brom have left the aptly named ‘Theatre of Dreams’ without losing this season, with not even the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City unable to prevent the Red Devils express. So what chance do Blackpool have? Even if it is against a much-changed United side.

With the above in mind, Saturday’s home fixture with Bolton takes on greater significance. In fairness, if Ian Holloway had the choice of opponent this weekend, Bolton probably would have been right up there on his list of preferences – so can the Tangerines take full advantage and squeeze every last point out of their very last golden opportunity?

With regards to the above question, we’re nonethewiser.

Just about every team in the Premier League would fancy their chances against Bolton right now, especially at home. Though Blackpool are perhaps the exception.

In their last nine matches, Blackpool have registered a somewhat pathetic sum of four points from a possible 27 – drawing four and losing five. It doesn’t exactly get better at home, either. A sluggish-finishing Tottenham are the only team to have lost at Bloomfield Road in ten matches, the Tangerines losing a bewildering six of those. Their Spurs victory was also a good two-and-a-half-months ago now, so you’ll not be surprised to hear that five games have passed them by since without winning by the Seaside.

But if Ian Holloway’s men are to finish the season with a bang and at least ensure they have a glimmer of hope heading into the final day of the season, they must better their dismal sequence of results, having drawn their last three league games on the spin to extend a nine-match run without winning, against a Bolton side who, to put it midly, are definitely prime for the taking.

The Trotters are still nursing an FA Cup semi-final hangover it would seem, losing 5-0 to Stoke last month to miss out on the opportunity to feature in this weekend’s show-piece against Manchester City, and are now finishing a campaign full of promise with a real whimper, with last week’s 2-1 reverse to Sunderland at home their third consecutive defeat following disappointing outcomes away at first Fulham (3-0) before helped Blackburn, who were previously without a win for ten games, to end their barren streak (1-0).

The bad times don’t end there for Bolton. Not since 22 November, when they beat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux, has Owen Coyle’s men secured maximum points on their travels. Since then, Coyle has seen his side lose ten of eleven away from home in the league – I suppose that could become eleven in twelve if you include their thumping 5-0 defeat in last month’s semi-final with Stoke – having also mustered a miserly three goals in that period, failing to score in eight of their last eleven away league games.

Going back to my previous statement; this really is a golden opportunity for Blackpool. Although, judging by their début season in the Barclay’s Premier League, it would be typical for Ian Holloway’s men to roll over on Saturday against unquestionably the poorest travellers in the top-flight this season before putting in a shift at Old Trafford the following week. After all, those unpredictable Tangerines have the worst home record in the Premier League, having registered just 17 points (W4 D5 L9) at Bloomfield Road, but have taken points off Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham on their travels.

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Form

Blackpool – LLDDD (Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal, Blackpool 1-3 Wigan, Blackpool 1-1 Newcastle, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke, Tottenham 1-1 Blackpool)

Bolton – LWLLL (Bolton 0-5 Stoke, Bolton 2-1 Arsenal, Fulham 3-0 Bolton,  Blackburn 1-0 Bolton, Bolton 1-2 Sunderland)

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Head-to-Head (Premiership)

Blackpool wins: 0
Draws: 1
Bolton wins: 0

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Bolton 2-2 Blackpool

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Streaks & Trends

Blackpool have now failed to win any of their previous nine league games (W0 D4 L5), drawing their last three on the spin.

No team has collected fewer points (17) or conceded more goals (34) than Blackpool at home, who last celebrated victory in the Premier League at their Bloomfield Road stadium back on 22 February, six home games previous.

The Seasiders haven’t score more than one goal in a game since drawing 2-2 with Blackburn at Ewood Park on 19 March, seven games ago.

Bolton have lost three consecutive league games following their 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland, while they haven’t secured maximum points on the road since 13 November – losing ten of their previous eleven away Premiership matches since, including their last four on the spin.

The Trotters have scored just three goals in their last eleven away league games, yet conceded 17.

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Value Bets

Blackpool to WIN 1-0 (Correct Score) @ 10.50 bWin

Combining these two statistics together: Blackpool having scored precisely one goal in four of their last five home games, ten altogether at Bloomfield Road, with Bolton’s pathetic sum of three goals in their last eleven away matches and a narrow 1-0 home triumph suddenly becomes appealing. Interestingly, though, the Tangerines haven’t won by this exact scoreline at home all season.

DJ Campbell to Score @ 3.00 Coral

DJ Campbell has scored in Blackpool’s last two home games, with six of his eleven league goals this season having been scored at Bloomfield Road, though never first.

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Match Prediction: Draw – 3.60 BetFred

Blackpool have been handed so many generous home fixtures of late, and because of their critical predicament, I expected them to take full advantage of most. In the end, they didn’t take nearly enough points from them and are now paying the penalty. Ironically, this is undoubtedly the easiest of the lot, against a Bolton side who have lost ten of their last eleven away Premier League contests, eight of which without even scoring. At the odds, though, I couldn’t go anywhere near the hosts. That said, I wouldn’t want to be on the visitors either. So this is simply a case of avoiding two nasty teams who simply cannot win at the minute.

Hardly the prettiest of selections, however, I genuinely wouldn’t feel comfortable backing either party to come out on top in a wide-open contest which could be absolutely anything.

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Match Odds

Blackpool – 2.25 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.60 BetFred
Bolton Wanderers – 3.40 Bet365

Bolton Wanderers V Sunderland

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 7 May 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Reebok Stadium

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Preview

At odds of 1.85 with VictorChandler to dispatch of Sunderland at The Reebok this weekend, I’m wandering if Bolton have ever looked so good? And I’m not just talking about some of the football they now play under Owen Coyle, who surely has to come into the equation when the nominees for Manager of the Season are announced, not that I expect him to take home the prize.

On the back of quick-fire defeats, you may think I’m mad to give Bolton the big build-up. There’s no need to panic, though, as a quick glance over at who’s aiming to derail Bolton’s scintillating run of form at home should have you on the same wavelength.

Sunderland are in a right mess at the minute, and had it not been for their inspired start to the season, when at one stage they were touted for Europe, they’d also be in a right pickle with just three games left to play. As it is, their troubles shouldn’t compromise their Premiership status, with the Black Cats six-points above the relegation places in 14th, which is just as well as I wouldn’t bank on them registering too many points between now and the end of the term.

A dismal performance at home to Fulham last weekend, who had previously won just one of their last 35 matches away from home in the Premier League, coincided with an embarrassing defeat which was later greeted by a chorus of boos from the home support as the final whistle rang out. So it’s certainly not harmonious on Wearside, that despite the club seemingly on course for a fifth consecutive spell in the top-flight of English football.

To compound the misery of the supporters, that was Sunderland’s ninth defeat in eleven league games. Furthermore, they must now finish the season without a recognised forward in their ranks. In fact, they barely have a squad. Their manager, Steve Bruce, claims he’s never had it so bad on the injury front, and that he may even struggle to fill the bench on Saturday, with Craig Gordon,Titus Bramble, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan, Danny Welbeck and Fraizer Campbell all out injured for the remainder of the campaign. And if that list of absentees wasn’t extensive enough, Steed Malbranque, as well as key midfield duo Lee Cattermole and Jordan Henderson, are doubtful for the trip to Greater Manchester.

The season really couldn’t come to an end any faster for Sunderland.

As for Bolton, they’re also threatening to finish a previously promising season, which at one stage could have culminated in qualification for the Europa League, on a sour note. Back-to-back defeats away at Fulham and Blackburn, the latter against a team who were previously within a win in ten, has killed off any hope of Europe, with seventh now the highest Owen Coyle’s men can finish the season, realistically, not mathematically.

However, as far as this precise fixture goes they look an absolute steal to take full advantage of Sunderland’s misfortunes. The Trotters may have slumped to successive away defeats but at home, inside a rocking Reebok, they’ve been flawless. A 2-1 victory over Arsenal in their most recent league encounter at home was arguably their most impressive win of the season, not to mention their fifth on the trot at home for the Trotters (pun very much intended).

My only reservations with the home side regard possible absentees, as a strong Bolton XI really should tear a deflated Sunderland side who have lost four of their last five away matches, having also not mustered an away goal for over six hours, to shreds. Full-back Gretar Steinsson is a minor doubt also more disconcerting is Daniel Sturridge’s ankle injury, though the on-loan Chelsea striker, who has netted 5 of his 7 goals while with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, should recover in time, hopefully.

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Form & Last Result

Bolton Wanderers – WLWLL (Bolton 3-0 West Ham, Bolton 0-5 Stoke, Bolton 2-1 Arsenal, Fulham 3-0 Bolton, Blackburn 1-0 Bolton)

Bolton lost their fourth consecutive away match last weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by struggling Blackburn, who were previously without a win in ten. The Trotters have struggled immensely away from home in 2011 and will no doubt appreciate this weekend’s home encounter, regardless of who it’s against – especially as they were 2-1 winners over Arsenal in their most recent league encounter at the Reebok, their fifth consecutive home win.

Sunderland – LLLWL (Man City 5-0 Sunderland, Sunderland 2-3 West Brom, Birmingham 2-0 Sunderland, Sunderland 4-2 Wigan, Sunderland 0-3 Fulham)

Sunderland are back to doing what they’ve done better than anyone else in 2011, and that’s losing games. A Black Cats side lacking in forward numbers was punished severely at the Stadium of Light last Saturday, to the disgruntlement of the home supporters who aired their frustrations at the final whistle. The 3-0 home defeat to Fulham, who had previously won just one of 35 away Premier League matches, was Sunderland’s ninth defeat in eleven games. Now they’re back on the road aiming to end a five-match winless run containing one draw and four defeats, as well as 360 minutes of away football without netting.

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Head-to-Head (Premiership)

Bolton Wanderers wins: 4
Draws: 3
Sunderland wins: 6

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Sunderland 1-0 Bolton
2009/2010: Sunderland 4-0 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 0-1 Sunderland
2008/2009: Bolton 0-0 Sunderland
2008/2009: Sunderland 1-4 Bolton
2007/2008: Bolton 2-0 Sunderland
2007/2008: Sunderland 3-1 Bolton

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Match Prediction: Bolton Wanderers to WIN – 1.83 WilliamHill

No great surprise this, considering I spent an age highlighting Bolton’s credentials and pin-pointing Sunderland’s many flaws, but Bolton really should wipe the floor with a Sunderland side currently in free-fall, lacking in first-team personnel and without an ounce of confidence in their system. Throw in no forwards and six hours of away football without a goal for the visitors, complimented by this statistic: Bolton have won five consecutive league games at home in the Premier League, and it should be straight-forward for the Trotters.

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Value Bets (As contradicting as this set are)

Sunderland to WIN to NIL @ 8.00 PaddyPower

The Black Cats have won the previous three encounters, all without conceding a single goal.

Bolton to WIN @ 1.83 WilliamHill (General)

The Trotters have won their last five home Premiership matches in succession.

0-0 Draw (Correct Score) @ 12.00 Stanjames

Bolton have failed to score in their previous four attempts against Sunderland in the league, while the visitors haven’t scored an away goal in just over six hours of away football.

Daniel Sturridge to Score @ 2.40 Unibet

The on-loan Chelsea forward has scored in four of his five appearances for Bolton at their Reebok Stadium, with 5 of his 7 strikes for the Trotters having been scored on home soil.

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Match Odds

Bolton Wanderers – 1.83 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.60 BetFred
Sunderland – 4.60 VictorChandler

Bolton Wanderers V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 24 April 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Reebok Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

Despite striving yet again to throw away a golden opportunity by squandering a 3-1 lead away at arch rivals Tottenham in midweek, 24 hours after league leaders Manchester United could only manage a 0-0 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park, Arsenal still find themselves in this title race, not that anyone knows how. However they now have Chelsea for company, who are finishing the stronger of the two and have instantly overtaken The Gunners as United’s main rival for the crown, according to the media anyway.

The funny thing is, Arsenal have only slipped one placed down the table into third courtesy of a slightly inferior goal difference to that of Chelsea. That said, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why the neutrals have suddenly ploughed all their faith into a Chelsea side finishing the season like a steam train, as opposed to a lacklustre Arsenal who once again display all the characteristics of a side severely lacking in that winning mentality the top-two certainly boast.

The above was epitomised at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, when Arsene Wenger frustratingly saw his side relinquish a seemingly unassailable 3-1 lead and drop two possibly pivotal points in a 3-3 draw. The match itself was a corker, one of the best games you’ll see all season, but that will be of scant consolation to Arsenal and their beleaguered manager, who simply must be growing tiresome of his side’s lack of backbone and mental toughness when it comes to killing off games and hanging on in there for maximum points.

Wednesday’s stalemate was Arsenal’s fifth draw in their last six league games, a damning statistic if ever there was one to back up everyone’s assumption that Arsene Wenger doesn’t boast enough maturity in his ranks. Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain, even said so himself, to the annoyance of his manager, which is perhaps an indication in itself that there is discontent with the ranks regarding Wenger’s transfer policy and his refusal to sign experienced players with proven ability.

But there is a massive positive for Arsenal supporters, as well as a small dose of irony, and that is that Lady Luck is clearly shining down on your side, as while your team continue to spurn every window of opportunity that comes their way, they are still in this title race, albeit by the skin of their teeth and in urgent need of the odd favour elsewhere. That could happen though, as United drawing 0-0 with Newcastle during the week proved, although Arsenal holding up their end of the bargain – the Londoners now requiring nothing less than a flawless finish to the season – may require the odd miracle in itself. Their remaining fixtures aren’t that difficult, they’re just in a dismal frame of mind right now, as well as form, and haven’t looked in the slightest bit capable of stringing together a succession of wins.

Victory at The Reebok would at least be a start, get the ball rolling and all that, and they’re fortunate that not only is its occupants nursing an FA Cup hangover but the venue itself has also been a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger’s men in recent times. Arsenal were pushed all the way during last season’s visit to Bolton but eventually ran out nervy 2-0 winners, that being their third consecutive away victory over the Trotters, as well as their eighth in succession home and away in the Premier League.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle will be eager to arrest Bolton’s dismal form against The Gunners, however he has a tough job on his hands just getting his players out on that pitch. After last Sunday’s 5-0 hiding in the semi-final of the FA Cup at the hands of Stoke, I doubt there will be too many in that Bolton dressing room excited at the prospect of turning out in front of their home fans for the first time since last week’s horror showing, especially as another may well be in the offing should they turn up in a similarly lacklustre mood when Arsenal pay them a visit on Sunday.

So then, just how demoralising was that FA Cup defeat for Bolton? Considering virtually all of the first-team have never lost a match of such magnitude and importance, I would hedge my bets on their being a fair amount of scarred individuals inside that Bolton dressing room. Ironically, they probably could have done without a home fixture next time out, as while their record at The Reebok is outstanding for the 2010/2011 term (W9 D5 L2), not to mention winning their last four home league games on the spin, the players are likely to be greeted by a lukewarm reception on Sunday, with disgruntled supporters still coming to terms with last Sunday’s woeful display in unquestionably the club’s biggest match since the turn of the Millennium.

Arsenal themselves aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders though, so Sunday’s fixture couldn’t be more ideal for both of them as the pair look to capitalise on one another’s recent misfortunes and fragile frame of minds. Heck, I’m sure Owen Coyle will be more than happy to lend Arsene Wenger his shoulder to cry on when another ‘controversial’ decision doesn’t go his team’s way before a somewhat inevitable draw.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League)

Bolton wins: 4
Draws: 5
Arsenal wins: 14

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Arsenal 4-1 Bolton
2009/2010: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 0-2 Arsenal
2008/2009: Arsenal 1-0 Bolton
2008/2009: Bolton 1-3 Arsenal
2007/2008: Bolton 2-3 Arsenal
2007/2008: Arsenal 2-0 Bolton
2006/2007: Arsenal 2-1 Bolton
2006/2007: Bolton 3-1 Arsenal

Streaks & Trends

Arsenal have won the last eight league meetings with Bolton, who last beat The Gunners in the Premier League back in 2006, when Nicolas Anelka scored twice for Bolton in a 3-1 success.

Bolton’s record at home to Arsenal during the Premier League era reads: W4 D2 L5.

The Trotters haven’t lost a league fixture at The Reebok since 24 January, their one and only home defeat in eleven home games, winning their last four on the spin.

No team has registered more points away from home this season than Arsenal (30pts), who have an away record of: W8 D6 L2.

Arsenal are unbeaten in the league for sixteen matches; 8 wins and as many draws, and have gone their last seven away from home without defeat.

The Gunners have now drawn five of their last six league games.

All of Arsenal’s last seven away games have produced a minimum of 3 goals, a little over four-goals on average.

Robin Van Persie has scored in four of Arsenal’s last five league games, and in each of their previous six on the road.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1.80 BetFred

Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title are fading fast and could even come crashing to an end at The Reebok if they don’t buck up their ideas and start showing a bit of steely determination for a change. Bolton could do with some of the same after their day out at Wembley to forget a week previous, not least because they are once again without combative midfielder Stuart Holden, arguably Bolton’s best player this season.

Because of the manner of their FA Cup semi-final defeat, it takes a brave punter to put a single ounce of faith in Bolton. Apart from the fact the spirit of the dressing room surely has to be at an al-time low, fans won’t exactly be ecstatic to see them on Sunday. So a couple of early goals from Arsenal and the scenes could get very ugly at The Reebok.

Fortunately for Bolton, The Reebok has been something of a fortress for them this season, where only two teams have won all season: Chelsea and Liverpool. Arsenal’s record is formidable there in recent seasons, but this is a better Bolton outfit than in previous terms, and had it not been for last Sunday’s FA Cup loss, Bolton would have been a stunning bet at the odds to ground out a result. As it is, without their stand-out player of the season in American Stuart Holden, whom works tirelessly to break down as many opposing attacks as possible, Bolton head into Sunday’s encounter alarmingly exposed.

Although they’ve been a constant source of frustration of late, Arsenal are my pick in this one to compound Bolton fans’ woes in a fixture they simply have to win in order to keep that flicker of hope alive.

Value Bet: Robin Van Persie to Score – 2.20 Coral

The Dutchman has been prolific for Arsenal since returning from injury late last year and has scored in each of The Gunners’ last six matches away from home, though in just two did he open the scoring.

Match Odds:

Bolton Wanderers – 5.00 Boylesports
Draw – 3.80 Bet365
Arsenal – 1.80 BetFred

Bolton Wanderers V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 17 April 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Wembley (Neutral)
TV Coverage: ESPN

The draw couldn’t have been any kinder to Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City, who contest the second semi-final on Sunday aiming to secure a place in next month’s show-piece. Whilst picking a winner is proving difficult, one thing which is assured is that whoever seals a place in the final on 14 May will have their work cut out defying the odds against one of either Manchester City or Manchester United, who do battle 24 hours earlier in the other semi-final.

Because of the season they’ve had so far, Bolton, who are 8th in the Premier League – four positions and five-points better off than Stoke, are the favourites, though only just. Even the bookmakers are having a hard time of things separating the two, and with their being very little between them on paper to boot, it could pay to hedge your bets on the outcome of this game boiling down to who has more in reserve for extra-time and possibly even penalties.

It’s 3.40 (12/5) the draw, and that looks a piece of value considering both league encounters this season both went the way of the home side. Neutral ground should even things up a bit.

Method of Victory Betting (Bet365):

Bolton in Extra-Time – 11.00 (10/1)
Bolton on Penalties – 13.00 (12/1)

Stoke in Extra-Time – 11.00 (10/1)
Stoke on Penalties – 13.00 (12/1)

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Bolton Wanderers

You’d be forgiven for not knowing that Bolton have won this very competition on four previous occasions, however their most recent triumph came way back in 1958 and now current Trotters manager Owen Coyle, who has been an instant hit with the fans during his season-and-a-half-spell with the club, wants to bring the good times back to Bolton.

Owen Coyle has been receiving praise for the way he’s gone about transforming the general perception of Bolton Wanderers all season, with the Trotters slowly but surely building a reputation for being a team which surprisingly plays pleasing on the eye football. But more important than mere aesthetics, Coyle has installed a winning mentality into a dressing room which previously found that winning feeling hard to come by.

Bolton having enjoyed one of their better league campaigns this season, with Coyle’s men genuine contenders for Europe at one stage. Unfortunately, they have faded by the wayside in 2011, winning only four of their twelve league games since the turn of the year, though what they relinquished in standard in the league they made up for in the FA Cup, beating the likes of Birmingham City, Fulham and Wigan Athletic, all away from home, en route to the semi’s.

The advantages with Bolton is that not only do they play some crisp, precise football under Owen Coyle, they are still that same powerful, awkward opponent which has made them a mainstay in the Barclay’s Premier League for over a decade now. In Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander, Bolton have two forwards who are willing to put their bodies on the line and mix it with defenders, but Bolton also have the required height at the back to contend with Stoke’s main threat, which is their aerial prowess. Nullify Stoke in the air and Bolton are half-way to winning the battle.

However, two definite drawbacks are that combative midfielder Stuart Holden misses out through injury while on-loan Daniel Sturridge is ineligible, because he participated for Chelsea earlier in the competition. The 21-year-old will be sorely missed by Coyle, as not only as the on-loan forward been prolific during his short spell with the Trotters, his raw pace and desire to play each and every game would have made him an instant thorn in Stoke’s side.

Stoke City

Unlike their opponent’s on Sunday, Stoke have never won the FA Cup before. In fact, the Potters have only ever won one domestic cup in their history – the 1971/72 League Cup – and will be making only their fourth ever appearance in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They’ll also be hoping it’s fourth time lucky after coming up short in the previous three, and they have every chance of doing just that up against slight favourites on the day Bolton.

So it will be a completely new experience for Stoke should they overcome Bolton on Sunday in the second semi-final, but in Tony Pulis they have a manager who has already brought the Barclay’s Premier League to supporters; can he go one further and reward them with a trophy?

No doubt the fans will have a watchful eye on the first semi-final between Man City and Man Utd, and there’s no reward for guessing who they’ll be supporting. Stoke have a miserable recent record against Sir Alex’s men (W0 D0 L6) whereas their record against the Citizens is far more healthy (W2 D3 L2) – but Stoke can hardly afford the luxury of complacency, as getting through Sunday’s semi-final will be hard enough, against a Bolton side whom they beat rather comfortably at The Brittania earlier in the season (2-0), and also pushed them all the way at The Reebok as well before eventually going down 2-1.

This is a golden opportunity for Stoke, one they can ill-afford to pass up considering they’re unlikely to receive a more favourable passage through to the last-four, or a more favourable semi-final tie than one with an opponent of similar stature to themselves. The Potters certainly have all the right ingredients to be triumphant on Sunday, but with their aerial threat well known, a lot will depend on how effective their wide outlets perform on the day, with so much riding on not only Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant’s ability to pick out the rangy figures of John Carew, Jonathan Walters and Kenwyn Jones but also their ability to beat a man and find pockets of space in behind the Bolton defence.

Pulis has rued the fact that Danny Higginbottom, who scored Stoke’s winner in the 2-1 win over West Ham in the previous round, will miss Sunday’s semi-final along with the rest of the season. However, John Carew should at least return to the bench to bolster a strong looking Stoke bench. And Pulis may well need someone to lay claim to the hero vacancy later in the game, as this match has the potential to stretch into extra-time and possibly penalties.

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Road to Wembley

Bolton

Third Round: Bolton 2-0 York City
Fourth Round: Bolton 0-0 Wigan (Bolton won the corresponding replay 1-0)
Fifth Round: Fulham 0-1 Bolton
Sixth Round: Birmingham 2-3 Bolton

Stoke

Third Round: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff (Stoke won the corresponding replay 2-0 after extra-time)
Fourth Round: Wolves 0-1 Stoke
Fifth Round: Stoke 3-0 Brighton
Sixth Round: Stoke 2-1 West Ham

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

Bolton wins: 3
Draws: 1
Stoke wins: 2

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Stoke 2-0 Bolton
2010/2011: Bolton 2-1 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 1-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 1-1 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 2-0 Bolton
2008/2009: Bolton 3-1 Stoke

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Only the magic of the FA Cup could bring two unfancied clubs like Bolton and Stoke together, but also two teams who are so evenly matched on paper. The bookies cannot split them, and neither can I.

Both sides pack a punch with their ability to win the aerial duels, but they are also deceivingly useful on he floor as well and it could boil down to who uses the ball better on the deck rather than who dominates the skies – and in this instance, Stoke would get my vote. Etherington and Pennant can be a real handful on their day, and while Owen Coyle is all too aware of the problems Stoke’s wide-men pose, identifying the threat and dealing with it are two different things.

For Bolton, Kevin Davies will be so important to their cause. There isn’t a striker in the Premier League who puts himself about like he does, and if he can cause a rift in the heart of the Stoke defence then who knows, Bolton may well prosper. However, I do worry without Sturridge in the side, as the Trotters have relied heavily on his goals during a difficult 2011 which has seen victories prove hard to come by.

If I was obliged to pick a winner then it would be Stoke, however these two look set to cancel each other out and it could even go right down to the wire – with penalties a real possibility.

Value Bet: 2-2 Draw (Correct Score) – 17.00 WilliamHill

While I do reckon it will be close, I very much doubt it will be stalemate.

Match Odds:

Bolton Wanderers – 2.50 Bet365
Draw – 3.40 Boylesports
Stoke City – 3.00 BetFred

Bolton V West Ham

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 9 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Reebok Stadium

West Ham have endured a miserable time of things during recent encounters with Bolton in the Premier League, however the Hammers will look to capitalise on the Trotters’ recent slump in form after Owen Coyle’s men suffered their second successive defeat last weekend.

The previous seven contests in all competitions have all been won by Bolton, who haven’t lost a Premiership fixture at home to West Ham since 1995. So the omens are good for a Trotters revival, not that the club find themselves in a sticky situation – Bolton are 8th in the table, eight-points clear of the relegation zone but now seemingly out of the race for a Europa League finish, with Spurs now ten-points further up the league in 5th.

Speaking of revivals, West Ham will need to get back to collecting points as soon as possible. Avram Grant’s side were savaged by Manchester United last weekend, the Hammers relinquishing a 2-0 lead courtesy of two successful Mark Noble spot-kicks to lose 4-2 at Upton Park, shipping all four goals in the second half, as their previously encouraging four-match unbeaten streak in the league came crashing to an end.

For Bolton, it’s all about securing another three-point haul which would almost definitely put to bed any apprehension of relegation. West Ham, however, will look over at their opponents with a touch of envy, as the Hammers yet again dropped back down into the bottom-three with that defeat to United seven days previous and are now in desperate need of a result in order to make an immediate return to dry land.

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Bolton

League Position: 8th
League Form: WDWLL

Consecutive defeats has scuppered any chance Bolton had of sneaking into Europe via the Europa League, although Europe was always going to be a stiff ask for Owen Coyle and his players and the focus now, until the end of the season, will be to accumulate enough points to not only mathematically guarantee survival, which should only be another win, but also a top-ten finish.

Bolton were beaten for the second match running when going down 2-1 at Birmingham last weekend, but we should point out that both reverses came away from The Reebok, and the other was an unfortunate 1-0 loss at league leaders Man Utd. At home, however, Bolton have only lost two matches all season in the league, plus, Coyle & Co will be eyeing up their fourth successive league victory on their own patch when they entertain West Ham on Saturday, following wins over Wolves (1-0), Everton (2-0) and Aston Villa (3-2).

Speaking of the Hammers, Bolton have dominated recent clashes with the East Londoners. The Trotters have won all seven previous encounters at The Reebok, not to mention the fact an eight straight home win on Saturday would also be their eight in a row in all competitions over that bubble-mad club, home and away.

Kevin Davies has also enjoyed scraping with those Hammers, the Bolton forward having scored eight times during his career against West Ham and will be hoping his rich vein of form against them will aid him in his bid bolster a miserable return of only one league goal since the turn of the year. His strike partner, Johan Elmander, has been similarly unproductive in 2011 – perhaps why Bolton have dramatically gone from European hopefuls to mid-table settlers since Christmas.

Nevertheless, all the arrows are pointing in Bolton’s direction, although their cause isn’t helped by the fact Stuart Holden has been ruled out for anywhere up to six months with a knee injury. Owen Coyle has yet to mastermind a league win whenever Holden hasn’t featured, emphasising the importance of having the American’s combative-nature in the middle of the park.

West Ham

League Position: 18th
League Form: DWWDL

A week on from their demoralising defeat at home to league leaders Manchester United, West Ham go in search of redemption in the form of their first league win at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium for 16-years. But their opponents have only lost twice at home all season, which is the same miserly sum that West Ham have won away from home, so I’m sure I won’t be the only pundit who fears the worst for Avram Grant’s men in a fixture which has brought the club and it’s loyal supporters nothing but misery over the years.

Every club, even the very best, has an adversary. A team who invariably get the better of them, or causes them countless problems whenever they clash. In West Ham’s case it’s Bolton, although, in fairness, we could have mentioned several clubs who generally have a whale of a time against the Hammers.

Since 1995, the year in which they secured their one and only Premiership victory over Bolton Wanderers on the road in nine attempts, West Ham have recorded zero wins, one draw and a bewildering eight defeats. Furthermore, a seemingly routine defeat on Saturday would be their eighth on the spin against Bolton, whom have won the previous seven encounters, home and away, in all competitions.

Instead of spending this entire preview focusing on history, and how West Ham have plenty of the stuff with the Trotters, we thought better to highlight West Ham’s positives.

For starters, their football has come on leaps and bounds in 2011, which in turn has led to a markedly improved return of points. Before their 4-2 reverse at home to United, a match in which the Hammers led 2-0 at half-time only to capitulate in the second-half and concede four within the space of 30 minutes, they hadn’t tasted defeat for four games in the league. Goals haven’t been as hard to come by as they were in the opening half of the season either, while defensively, that despite conceding four last time out, they are a great deal more resolute and marshalled by a keeper in Robert Green who has been in fine form and back to something like his best.

The history book certainly doesn’t do them any favours, but West Ham have shown enough improvement in their overall game to convince us, and hopefully their passionate contingent of travelling supporters, that they can squeeze a positive result – so a win or a draw – out of an exceedingly difficult fixture, for them anyway.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

Bolton wins: 11
Draws: 3
West Ham wins: 5

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: West Ham 1-3 Bolton
2009/2010: West Ham 1-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 3-1 West Ham
2008/2009: Bolton 2-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 1-3 Bolton
2007/2008: Bolton 1-0 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 1-1 Bolton
2006/2007: West Ham 3-1 Bolton
2006/2007: Bolton 4-0 West Ham

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Betting

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.40 WilliamHill

Football isn’t played on paper, and it’s a good job it isn’t as if it was, West Ham wouldn’t have a hope in hell on Saturday. Bolton’s record at home, on the whole in fact, is imperious against the Hammers and they are bound to be a popular selection with punters. However, I have personally seen enough from Avran Grant’s side in recent weeks that would suggest they’re good enough for a point, though they will need to halt Bolton’s winning three-match streak at home.

Bolton have been the dominant force in corresponding fixtures, while they’ve been just as formidable at home all season (W8 D5 L2). However, the loss of Stuart Holden for the remainder of the season is huge, compounded by the fact the strikers have suddenly lost their way in front of goal. In stark contrast, West Ham’s attackers haven’t – scoring 11 in their last 5 league games – and if the same West Ham defence that conceded just one goal in three games before shipping four in 30 minutes at home to United last weekend turns up at The Reebok, Bolton’s seven-match winning run over the Hammers could be about to come to an end.

Value Bet: Kevin Davies First Goalscorer – 7.50 SkyBet

The Bolton forward has scored more goals against West Ham than any other opponent, so it would almost bee inevitable should he add to the eight he already has to his name against the Hammers.

Match Odds:

Bolton – 2.25 Coral
Draw – 3.40 WilliamHill
West Ham – 3.60 PaddyPower

Birmingham V Bolton

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 2 April – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews

Birmingham

League Position: 19th
League Form: WLLDL

As memorable as their capture of the Carling Cup was, Birmingham have been paying a heavy price with their league form ever since. Blues boss Alex McLeish has admitted as such claiming his charges have relinquished every ounce of momentum they had heading into that final and has now urged his team to show some character in what is the club’s hour of need, the Scot having failed to mastermind a league win since 12 February.

Since their unforgettable day out at Wembley; beating Arsenal 2-1 in last month’s League Cup final, the Blues have failed to win a single game in the league (2) and were also dumped out of the FA Cup by this weekend’s opponents, just one round before another trip to Wembley was on the cards.

As a direct result of their slump in form, Birmingham now reside in 19th, just one place off the foot of the table but, encouragingly, only a point off safety meaning a positive return from this weekend’s clash with Bolton, preferrably in the form of a win, which would go some way to avenging their bitter FA Cup Sixth Round defeat, could, depending on how others in close proximity fare elsewhere, lift the club jump out of the dreaded relegation zone – a tasty incentive for the players if ever I saw one.

Quite how they will muster that elusive win remains to be seen. Their last-gasp defeat away at Wigan (2-1) last time out – Ben Foster conceding in the dying embers of that game – stretched their barren spell in the league to three games, three of which were defeats. So morale is hardly going to be at an all-time high.

Injuries to Alex Hleb and Martin Jiranek only compounds Alex McLeish’s woes, while Obafemi Martins, who scored Birmingham’s famous winner in the Carling Cup final, is rated doubtful along with Ben Foster who was forced to withdraw from the England squad with illness. However, Lee Bowyer should at least be in contention.

Bolton

League Position: 7th
League Form: LWDWL

The Trotters hold fond memories of their last visit to St Andrews, but they’ll be hard-pressed to repeat the trick not even a month after they were last in the Midlands contesting a fixture with the Blues, that despite Birmingham’s recent slump in form, as Bolton’s record on the road in the Premier League this season has been woeful, and even more so since the turn of the year.

In an FA Cup Sixth Round tie, Bolton produced one of their most dogged and bullish displays of the season when they last came face-to-face with St Andrews and their usually formidable occupants. Elmander, Davies and Lee were the scorers for Bolton in a stunning 3-2 triumph which helped the club seal a club-first trip to the new Wembley for the semi-finals. Although another win over the same opponents wouldn’t be as rewarding as a trip to Wembley, what it would do is keep alive their hopes and dreams of a return to Europe.

Owen Coyle has done a tremendous job just in steering the club well away from any potential threat of relegation, with the club having reached the magic 40-point milestone which normally assures safety with eight games to spare, but the Bolton manager still harbours hopes of a top-five finish which would reward his hard-working team with Europa League football next season. Currently, with the season drawing to a close, the Trotters find themselves nine-points shy of fifth-placed Tottenham having also played one game more, but a succession of wins could change their situation dramatically, and that’s the carrot which Coyle hopes will keep his players interested right until the very end of the term.

It is highly unlikely that Bolton will beat the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to fifth, but European football would drift even further into the distance should they lose further ground. So they need three points from this weekend’s trip to St Andrews, where they’ve won only two of six Premier League meetings. The task becomes even more daunting when you consider that Owen Coyle and his team haven’t celebrated an away victory in the league since 13 November; losing seven and winning none of their last eight away league games.

Owen Coyle does have his fair share of injuries but few of huge significance. One player in particular who will be sorely missed is tough-tackling midfielder Stuart Holden. The American’s absence could prove decisive as Bolton compete against one of the more combative midfield set-ups in the Premier League.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Bolton 2-2 Bimingham
2009/2010: Bolton 2-1 Birmingham
2009/2010: Birmingham 1-2 Bolton
2007/2008: Bolton 3-0 Birmingham
2007/2008: Birmingham 1-0 Bolton

Premier League

Birmingham wins: 5
Bolton wins: 6
Draws: 2 

Betting

Match Prediction: Birmingham to WIN – 2.50 Boylesports

Birmingham could possibly be without several crucial figures for Saturday’s match with high-flying Bolton, who themselves post an extensive list of absentees. Owen Coyle, though, is without only squad players, only a select few first-team personnel, and that should give the Trotters the slight edge, mentally more than anything else.

Picking a winner becomes excrutiatingly difficult when using only form as your compass, as neither boast a strong set of credentials in this particular department. Bolton have won three of their last six in the league whereas Birmingham are without a win in four, having lost three of those. However, home comforts should serve the Blues well, as well as the two-week international break enabling them to reassess their situation and handing them valueble time to recover from a recent lull in form.

So, I’ve decided to take a chance of Alex McLeish’ out-of-sorts but in desperate need of points Birmingham, probably because they’re facing a Bolton side who haven’t won away from home in the league since early-November and have lost seven of their previous eight away assigments; five of which without scoring.

Value Bet: Birmingham to WIN to NIL – 4.20 PaddyPower

If the Blues are to stop the rot, their usually rock-solid and reliable defence will probably be at the heart of the success. It does help that their opponents at the weekend are a Bolton team who have failed to find the back of the net in five of their previous eight away league games.

Match Odds:

Birmingham – 2.50 Boylesports
Draw – 3.30 VictorChandler
Bolton – 3.10 BetFred

Manchester United V Bolton Wanderers

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 19th March – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford

He is far from happy with the FA’s decision but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will serve the first of five touchline bans this weekend following comments he made immediately after the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on March 1st. Those very remarks were deemed unacceptable by most of the general public, and it would appear the FA were of the same opinion and dished out severe punishment accordingly.

So then, the question on the tip of everyone’s tongue now is how will the Red Devils cope without their father-figure in the dugout for forthcoming games with Bolton (H), West Ham (A), Fulham (H), Everton (H) and, of course, their eagerly-anticipated FA Cup semi-final with fierce local rivals Manchester City at Wembley.

Without trying to be too disrespectful to Bolton, who have had a fantastic league campaign up till this point and did hold United to a 2-2 draw earlier in the season at The Reebok, United are a little fortunate that their very first match without Sir Alex is against the Trotters.

Not only are Bolton without a win in their last seven away from home in the league, Manchester United have been imperious at Old Trafford this season and have yet to lose a single one of their 22 matches during the whole of the 2010/2011 campaign. Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat of Marseille in the UEFA Champions League was also their tenth consecutive victory at the so called ‘Theatre of Dreams’, so they should be good to go even without their master.

Manchester United

Not only is Sir Alex seething about the FA’s imposed five-match touchline ban, he’s also assessing the damage following another costly outing during the week. Neither Nani or John O’Shea lasted the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford as United overcome a physical examination from French visitors Marseille, with the pair now expect to take their place alongside an extensive list of absentees for Saturday’s home clash with Bolton Wanderers this Saturday.

Rumours that Rio Ferdinand may miss the remainder of the campaign will also be a massive blow to their chances of clinching a treble-haul of major honours for the second time in their illustrious history. The England centre-half, who is about to receive further bad news as Fabio Capello looks set to hand his captaincy to John Terry of Chelsea, has had an injury-plagued season and is now struggling to recover from a calf problem which has sidelined him for most of the new year. It doesn’t help that Nemanja Vidic has joined him in the treatment, with Sir Alex now facing a genuine defensive crisis right at the business end of the season.

This is an extensive list of injuries United have on their hands at the moment and it’s threatening to derail potentially one of their most successful ever seasons. The FA Cup, Premier League and the Champions League are all possibilities, but after back-to-back cup wins within the space of a week – beating Arsenal 2-0 last Saturday in the FA Cup and Marseille 2-1 on Tuesday in the CL, both at Old Trafford – they are back in the competition they have dominated ever since it’s inauguration, the Barclay’s Premier League.

Back-to-back defeats away at Chelsea and Liverpool have set them back a little, though, with their lead at the summit now down to just three points. So it’s Old Trafford to the rescue then, where they’ve won 13 of 14 in the league this season. Moreover, victory on Saturday over Bolton would also be their 11th consecutive win at home in all competitions.

Bolton Wanderers

Just like United have their fair share of problems, so do Bolton. Owen Coyle may not have as many absentees as his counterpart – Steinsson and Sturridge are both doubts while Zat Knight is definitely out, what he does unfortunately have is a team who have struggled immensely away from home in the league since 2011 burst into life and on Saturday, inside a packed out Old Trafford and in a fixture they have a miserable record in, will set out to avoid a seventh defeat in eight away matches in the Premier League.

In their previous seven trips to Manchester to tackle the Red Devils, Bolton have come away with zero points and very few goals to show for their efforts. So the omens are not good. However, perhaps the away tide is beginning to turn. They collected their first away points of 2011 when holding Newcastle to a 1-1 draw at St James’ last month while they clinched a quite stunning 3-2 victory at St Andrews last weekend to beat  Birmingham and book themselves a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and a date with Wembley in April.

Ecstatic is just one way of describing the mood inside the Bolton dressing room following last weekend’s antics, with Bolton not only earning themselves a Wembley appearance but also a generous semi-final draw with Stoke City. Trotters boss Owen Coyle will be praying all this excitement and jubilation will be put to good use at the weekend, in a match where they can let their hair down a little considering they aren’t expected to take anything from their trip to Old Trafford.

At least not from an outside perspective, there will be next to no pressure on Bolton heading to Manchester, as few expect them to take anything from their visit to Premier League-kings, Man Utd. Combine that freedom to play their free-flowing, expansive brand of football under Coyle with so many happy faces in the dressing room and we may well be seeing a formula for a real shocker at Old Trafford, where Bolton haven’t won for over ten years.

Match Prediction: Draw – 4.60 VictorChandler

I’m all for highlighting potential upsets but I’m wary about tipping up a Bolton triumph this weekend, mainly because United have had this uncanny knack of grounding out result at home even when they’re in a sticky situation, much like they are now with all their injuries. But it will be tough, up against a buoyant Bolton who do play some crisp, incisive football and do cause problems with their powerful forwards.

The Trotters have been woeful on the road for some time now, losing six of their last seven away encounters in the league, but they should have turned a corner after beating Birmingham at St Andrews a week previous. Even against a weakened United, the task remains a colossal one, but if Bolton’s forwards get themselves about and disrupt a make-shift defence deployed by Sir Alex then I believe there is value to be had in backing the visitors snatching a priceless away point.

Value Bet: Kevin Davies to Score 2 or More Goals – 34.00 SkyBet

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.44 WilliamHill
Draw – 4.60 VictorChandler
Bolton Wanderers – 9.50 Boylesports

Birmingham City V Bolton Wanderers

Date & kick-off: Saturday, 12th March – 12:45 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews
TV Coverage: ESPN

Birmingham City

- Made two finals, their last in 1956, but have never won the FA Cup.

- Are likely to be without Craig Gardner, Barry Ferguson and Alex Hleb, who all missed Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park, while David Bentley and Keith Fahey also picked up injuries during the trip to Merseyside.

- The club has more pressing matters now that the Carling Cup has been secured, with their top-flight status still up in the air what with the Blues level on points with relegation occupants West Ham in 18th.

- Manager Alex McLeish has expressed his concerns at the state of both their league predicament and his lack of first-team numbers.

Should Birmingham go on to lift the FA Cup on May 14th, the Blues would bring a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘you wait ages for one bus and then two come along at once’. The club had previously gone 47-years without winning a trophy before claiming this term’s Carling Cup, after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Arsenal in the final, so to clinch two in a single campaign really would be a touch of irony, and some feat, too, considering Birmingham have never lifted the FA Cup before in their history.

It would be very easy for everyone to assume that whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Birmingham have enjoyed one of their most successful campaigns in their history. In this day and age, league commitments have taken precedent over everything else, so it would be no exaggeration to say that the Carling Cup will be of scant consolation should the season end in relegation from the Premier League – the most watched football league in the world.

Unfortunately, though, that very scenario is a real possibility, with the club hovering precariously over the relegation zone by a single-point. So it may not be long before Alex McLeish decides Birmingham have had their day in the sun and throws all of his available eggs in the proverbial basket, ‘available’ being the most apt word to describe McLeish’s current predicament.

The Birmingham manager is beginning to see what a season full of hard graft can do on a squad which isn’t the strongest by any stretch of the imagination, with McLeish expected to once again be without Midfield trio Alex Hleb, Barry Ferguson and Craig Gardner at the weekend, while the sight of Richard Fahey and David Bentley leaving Goodison in midweek, Birmingham earning a creditable 1-1 draw away to Everton on Wednesday, with knocks will have been sore on the eyes.

1956 was the last time Birmingham City made the final of an FA Cup, and I’m sure Alex McLeish is determined to end that particular drought. Unfortunately, circumstances so often dictate and in this instance, the Scot has his hands tied in many respects. Still, the one piece of solace is that they are the ones doing the hosting on Saturday, with St Andrews having served the Blues well in recent times.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 17.00 (16/1) StanJames

Bolton Wanderers

- Made seven final appearances, winning four, though their last was back in 1958.

- Owen Coyle should have virtually a full strength squad to pick from, with Daniel Sturridge the only absentee after featuring for his parent club Chelsea earlier in the competition.

- Bolton are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Birmingham, winning three.

- Haven’t conceded a single goal in four FA Cup matches this season, and are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.

It is of little surprise to hear that Bolton have yet to saviour their first experience of Wembley in a playing capacity, although the same cannot be said of their manager. Owen Coyle was at the helm when Burnley beat Sheffield United 1-0 in the 2008/2009 Championship Play-Off final, but can he go one better by guiding a club which only narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League last season to the semi-finals of this season’s FA Cup?

Although Wembley would be an entirely new experience for the vast majority of the playing and coaching staff, the club did have their fair share of run-ins with the old Wembley. In fact, Bolton are one of the FA Cup’s most successful clubs, having won the tournament on no less than four occasions, although, you have to cast your minds back to 1958 for the last time the Trotters turned out at Wembley for an FA Cup final.

So it would be some feat should they book an eight final appearance although, as you may have already figured out for yourself, it is they who boast the greater wealth of pedigree in this competition, while their form on the whole isn’t half-bad either. Not only are they currently without defeat in their last four matches in all competitions, they are the only team left who haven’t conceded a single goal in this season’s FA Cup – a stunning achievement when you consider that in the last two rounds they faced Premiership opposition in the form of Wigan Athletic and Fulham, winning both encounters 1-0 away from home.

The positive omens don’t stop at just their current form, their head-to-head record with Birmingham City is also extremely encouraging. Bolton are unbeaten in their previous four meetings with the Blues, three of which were wins. The one and only real dampener is the fact Daniel Sturridge, who has scored three goals during his loan spell, is ineligible because he partook in Chelsea’s Third Round tie with Ipswich Town. Ironically, though, that may prove a blessing in disguise as it could mean Ivan Klasnic deputising, the Croatian striker having scored the winning goal for Bolton on his last three appearances, including both winners in the previous two rounds, at Wigan and Fulham.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 17.00 (16/1) Coral

Match Prediction: Bolton Wanderers to WIN -2.80 (9/5) StanJames

A long, gruelling season is beginning to take its toll on Birmingham, with fatigue having already crept into camp in a plague-like manner. Now Alex McLeish is facing up to the stark reality that several key players won’t even be available for Saturday’s midday clash, while he also has to think about the general conditioning of his players ahead of a crucial run-in, with surviving in the Premier League imperative but an uphill task at this rate, what with first-team numbers dropping like flies.

In stark contrast, Bolton’s Owen Coyle is having the time of his life. His team are currently in European contention, flying-high in the league, while he also boasts not only a full strength squad of players to choose from but fresh ones as well, with the Trotters not involved in midweek, unlike their opponents, who were put through their paces at Goodison by Everton and had to put in some shift in order to ground out a deserved point.

Bolton have been impressively tidy in the competition so far, with keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen having yet to pick the ball out of his own net. Clinical, professional, you may even say business-like, which is more than can be said for Owen Coyle’s dress code. Coyle has successfully rotated his squad in the FA Cup this season and we feel his team of Trotters are a fantastic shout to out-manoeuvre and probably out-run, considering how many tiring matches the Blues have been involved in of late, Birmingham at St Andrews, where the hosts are usually formidable but have lost two of their last three games.

Value Bet: Ivan Klasnic First Goalscorer & Bolton WIN 1-0 (Scorecast) – 26.00 PaddyPower

Lightening has struck twice so why not a third time? This exact bet would have netted you a handsome amount in Bolton’s previous two FA Cup clashes, Klasnic bagging the winner at Wigan in the Fourth Round and again at Fulham in the Fifth Round.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 2.80 (9/5) BetFred
Draw – 3.30 (23/10) Boylesports
Bolton Wanderers – 2.80 (9/5) StanJames