English Premier
2011-12-20 - Blackburn vs Bolton Wanderers
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Tuesday 20th December - Kickoff 8:00pm
Blackburn Rovers
19th placed Blackburn host 20th Bolton in a huge relegation "6 pointer" at Ewood Park this Tuesday. Kean is under huge pressure and has the perfect opponent this week to finally get out of the drop zone. However, with Bolton coming to Ewood also looking for a win this could be a really open game of football.
Rovers are really struggling at the moment after back to back defeats against sides that they could/should have taken points from. Despite leading until the last 5 minutes, Rovers lost at Sunderland 2-1. At the weekend Kean's side hosted West Brom but again went down 2-1 leaving them 4 points away from safety.
The positives are that the side is scoring 23 goals this season is good enough for the 7th highest tally in the Premiership.Only the current top 5 and Norwich can beat this record so I fancy Rovers to be a force going forward against Bolton.
Unfortunately, at the back they continue to struggle and the streak of no clean sheets is now up to 16 games. In these 16 games Rovers have conceded 2 or more in 12 of their 16 games which is not good enough to stay in this division. Unless they tighten up massively at the back they will continue to ship goals and relegation is a real threat.
Rovers Team News
Givet, Grella, Nelsen and Olsson are missing again for Rovers whilst Hoilett is a doubt.
Yakubu will play up front with Formica in behind him. They are supported by a midfield of Pedersen, Dunn, Rochina and N'Zonzi which is an attacking midfield that should create for the most part.
At the back, the lineup is solid "on paper" but they just can't keep a clean sheet. With Nelsen out I expect Dann to partner Samba with Salgado and Loew at fullbacks.
Bolton
If Rovers are in trouble then Wanderers are in major, major trouble. With 9 points from their first 16 games they trail 17th placed Wolves by 5 points which doesn't seem a lot but given that Bolton only have 3 wins all season. Making up 6 points will not be easy at all, especially if they lose at Blackburn on Tuesday evening.
Wanderers have been hit with some horrific injuries this season and the table really reflects that. Their last win was some 6 matches ago at home to Stoke whilst their last away win came back in mid October. On Tuesday night they will be under severe pressure and it's hard to see them winning this game, even with Blackburn's frail defence.
Like Rovers, Wanderers have goals in them and rank 10th in the scoring charts this season. On the road they have 10 goals in 8 games having scored in 5 of their away games. The bad news is that in their last 2 road games, Bolton has been shut out and whilst that seems unlikely against Blackburn's defence I think their poor back line could cost them.
Bolton are conceding on average over 2 goals a game on their travels and against a high scoring Rovers side this doesn't bode well. Their only away clean sheet came some 4 months ago at QPR on opening day and I don't think that will improve this week.
Bolton Team News
Davis, Holden, Lee, Mears, Ricketts, Riley and Wheater miss out whilst Gardner is a doubt.
Bolton will go with Klasnic and Davies up top in a 4-4-2. The attacking threat will come from Tuncay and Eagles , I don't think either midfield will dominate this one and chances should be created at both ends.
At the back Knight and Cahill have the task of marking Yakubu but after his shocker at the weekend I don't think they will be too worried by the Nigerian.
The Betting Verdict
Really think this one has goals galore in it with both sides unable to shut anyone out at the moment.
I initially liked Rovers at odds against but with both sides conceding at an alarming rate a Bolton goal will surely take this over the 2.50 goals.
History also favours this result with 3 of the last 4 being overs. Bolton is on a run of 8 overs in the last 9 away games whilst Rovers have had of 7 overs in their last 8 home games.
The Bolton attack has been a little toothless of late but I feel against this back line they should get at least 1 goal whilst Rovers should have a field day going forward themselves. Goals for me in this one.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Blackburn 3-2 Bolton Wanderers
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 2.50 goals at 1.85 at PinnacleSports
