English Premier
2012-05-06 - Bolton Wanderers vs West Brom
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 6 May 2012 - Kick Off 2pm
Bolton Wanderers
This looks like being a critical game for Bolton Wanderers as their vastly inferior goal difference compared with their relegation rivals means this could essentially decide their fate if they do not pick up a result in this one and QPR win their game against Stoke City at Loftus Road.
Bolton were beaten 1-4 at home by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night and that leaves them in the relegation zone on 34 points, but their minus 31 goal difference is around 8 goals worse than their rivals. The team have struggled at home all season, going 4-3-11 while scoring 21 goals and conceding 37. Only Wolves have lost more home games than Bolton or conceded more home goals.
They had been unbeaten in their last 3 Premier League games before the defeat to Spurs and it also means they have earned just 1 point from the last 9 available at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton had won back to back League games here before the last 3 games which they had failed to win.
Nigel Reo-Coker is the latest fitness doubt for the home team. He will need a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Spurs, but there is better news with Gretar Steinsson looking set for a return. Darren Pratley and Chung Yong Lee are both set to miss out.
West Brom
West Brom will be in the market for a new manager in the Summer after Roy Hodgson took the call from his country to become the new manager of the England national team. He looks a sensible choice after turning West Brom into a solid Premier League team rather than the yo-yo club they have been in recent seasons.
The Baggies are 10th in the Premier League and they have a real chance of finishing in the top half of the table and perhaps even above two of Roy Hodgson's former clubs, Fulham and Liverpool, if they can win their remaining two games. They are 7-4-7 away from home, scoring 22 goals and conceding 28 and only five clubs have won more on their travels so far this season.
They have lost just 1 of their last 5 League games, that coming at Manchester City, although they could only draw 0-0 with Aston Villa at home last weekend. West Brom had failed to win any of their last 4 Premier League away games, losing 3 of those, before beating Liverpool at Anfield last time out.
Shane Long picked up a knock against Villa last weekend, but should be able to pass a fitness test and take his place in the squad. James Morrison has also returned to the squad having recovered from a knee injury.
Head to Head
West Brom beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Hawthornes earlier this season, but they have not had so much success at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton won this fixture 2-0 last season and they have now won 2 of the last 3 times they have hosted West Brom.
They are now unbeaten in their last 6 home games against the Baggies.
Prediction
It will be interesting to see how the West Brom players respond to the last couple of games that Roy Hodgson has in charge of the club, but it is clear that they do hold him in high regard. However, I have a feeling they may be looking ahead to the home game with Arsenal that ends their season and all the good atmosphere that should be at the Hawthornes next week.
That should give Bolton Wanderers a real chance to grab a vital three points, but their defensive issues are hard to ignore and makes them of limited appeal at just odds against.
It's a tough game to read, but I do think we are going to get goals in this one as Bolton need the three point and West Brom have the capabilities to hit them on the counter attack.
I just have a feeling there is still some life in this Bolton team so I am going to take a small interest on them winning the game and there being at least 3 goals in the game which is being offered at 3.00 by Ladbrokes.
West Brom may have got a clean sheet at Anfield in their last away game, but that was only their third away from home all season in the League, while Bolton were forced to score at least 2 goals in each of their last 3 wins here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 West Brom
