Eng. Championship
2012-09-29 - Bolton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 29 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Bolton Wanderers
It has been a real eye-opening experience for Owen Coyle and Bolton Wanderers in the early Championship season, but they have at least kept in touch with the leaders. Coyle was feeling the pressure as the fans were beginning to get on his back, but a couple of good results in the last couple of weeks will have restored some confidence.
The side are 14th in the Championship and have got 10 points from their early fixtures, although that's not a bad return in a Division where wild results are the norm. Bolton are just 6 points behind Brighton who lead the way as they look to improve a 2-1-0 record at home. The side have scored 6 goals and conceded 3 in their opening games at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton have won 2 of their last 3 League games including a 1-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday last time out. At the Reebok Stadium, they have scored 2 goals in each of their home games this season and Bolton have only lost 1 of their last 6 here going back to last season.
Crystal Palace
I think Crystal Palace have to be the most under-rated team in the Championship as they are continuously expected to lose games, but have defied expectations and picked up plenty of good results. They weren't expected to be challenging for a promotion spot, but their start to the season may just have inspired some belief in the squad.
They are currently 15th in the Championship, behind Bolton Wanderers on goal difference, and their 10 points is already a very good start towards safety which is the first goal. Palace have a 1-0-2 record away from home this season, scoring 3 goals and conceding 6 in those games.
Palace are currently enjoying a 4 game unbeaten run in the Championship, picking up all 10 points they have got this season from those games. They beat Cardiff City 3-2 at home after trailing 0-2 and they also beat Charlton at the Valley in their last away game. Before that win at Charlton, Palace had lost 3 straight away from home in all competitions and they had lost 5 of 6 in the away games in the League.
Head to Head
This will be the first time the teams have played since the 2004/05 season when both sides were Premier League teams.
In that season, Bolton Wanderers beat Crystal Palace home and away, both by the same 1-0 scoreline.
Bolton are unbeaten in their last 9 home games against Palace, and they have won 4 of the last 5.
Prediction
Bolton Wanderers are short odds to win this game and I do think they are going to be too strong for Crystal Palace as they are scoring goals and should be able to take advantage of the Palace defensive issues.
I know Palace won their last away game in the Championship, but previously they had lost 5 of 6 and they concede a fair few goals when they do leave Selhurst Park.
I am expecting both sides to score in this game, but believe Bolton will find something extra to win the game. Rather than messing around with the handicaps or the short odds for at least 3 goals to be scored, I'll back Bolton Wanderers to win in a game that is going to have at least 3 goals.
That is being offered at 2.60 by Ladbrokes and looks the call in my opnion.
The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Crystal Palace
