English Premier
2011-09-10 - Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 10 September 2011 - Kickoff 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Bolton Wanderers
There were a lot of worried supporters of Bolton Wanderers that were thinking there was a danger of their side being sucked into a relegation battle due to the lack of options in the final third. While that has not transpired the same way as they thought, there are concerns considering the defensive problems that have been on show in their last 2 games.
Bolton are 10th in the Premier League having picked up 3 points from their opening 3 games of the season. They have lost their only home game of the season in the League, although they did beat Macclesfield here in the Carling Cup. The team have scored 7 goals and conceded 6 in their opening 3 games in the League.
The Trotters beat QPR in the opening game of the season, but have subsequently conceded 6 goals in losing games against Manchester City and at Liverpool. The team are having a better time in front of goal than many imagined, but they looked like conceding at will in their last 2 League games and that could be a problem. Bolton have lost their last 3 home games in the League since the end of last season.
Marcus Alonso is out while Sam Ricketts is going to need to pass a late fitness test to determine availability. Stuart Holden and Ricardo Gardner are also big doubts, but David N'Gog could make his first start since moving from Liverpool. Gary Cahill is also still at the Reebok after Tottenham and Arsenal failed to secure his services before the 31st of August.
Manchester United
Manchester United completed their signings early in the offseason and that seems to have paid dividends as the new boys have settled in and the Red Devils have got off to a fast start. There are still a few doubts about how the team will play away from the sanctuary of Old Trafford, while David De Gea is still getting used to his new surroundings.
United are top of the Premier League thanks to scoring one more goal than local rivals Manchester City. They have won all 3 League games this season, although only one of those has been away from home, and the 13 goals they have scored leads the League. One concern for the manager may be the fact they have kept just 1 clean sheet in the opening games.
A win at West Brom opened the season for United, although it took a late own goal to separate the sides. Impressive home wins over Tottenham and Arsenal have got the fans excited, but both of those sides had their own issues to contend with. The win at the Baggies was only the 2nd for the side in 6 competitive away games.
Nemanja Vidic and Rafael are both still unavailable, but Rio Ferdinand may return to the side. Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen could be back in the squad, but Danny Welbeck is out. Darren Fletcher is another pushing for a return having played twice for Scotland in the last week.
Head to Head
Manchester United have an impressive 11-1-1 record against Bolton in their last 13 Premier League games both at home and away.
However, things have been tougher when they visit the Reebok Stadium, with United winning 5 of their last 9 visits here, drawing 3 and Bolton winning 1.
The corresponding fixture ended 2-2 here last season.
Prediction
The 1.45 on offer for a Manchester United win looks far too short to me until they convince me that they will win more than the 5 away wins the picked up last season.
While United have looked good going forward, there are still a few issues in defence and they have looked a little vulnerable without the presence of Edwin Van der Sar. I am sure David De Gea will be a success at United, but he has made a few mistakes and will be in for a tough examination on Saturday.
Bolton themselves have looked capable of scoring goals, something experts thought would be an issue for them this season, but defensively they have been a little suspect and both Manchester City and Liverpool looked capable of scoring at will in their matches against them recently.
All of this points to an entertaining game in the evening kick off as both sides look capable of scoring goals yet also look a little suspect defensively.
This leads me into backing 'Both Teams to Score' and I have only been given further belief in my pick when noticing United have had just 5 clean sheets in their last 20 away games in the Premier League.
With David De Gea still making a couple of mistakes and Bolton scoring in each game they have played this season I expect the home team can get one goal.
United themselves have looked menacing going forward and I would expect them to grab at least one goal themselves against a defence that has conceded 6 goals in 2 League games so that looks the best way to get on the game.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 2-3 Manchester United
