Bolton Wanderers V Blackburn Rovers Betting – Sunday 22nd November (Sky Sports 1)

 

Bolton Wanderers V Blackburn Rovers

 

Kick-off: Sunday 22nd November – 13:30 GMT

Venue: The Reebok

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

 

 

 

Bolton Wanderers

 

League Position: 16th

Recent Form: DLWLL

  

Gary Megson has been hit with a double dose of good fortune as not only did Jussi Jaaskelainen confirm his retirement from International football with Finland but also that Johan Elmander is back in the goals and on fire! Well, the former is all true, the latter, however, is half a lie. Those typical Johan’s, you drop them from the starting line up and they come on and score a match saving late goal. Again, another lie, as Elmander’s first strike in over a year came in the 5-1 mauling away at Aston Villa, of which Bolton were, of course, on the wrong side of.

  

Bolton’s league position of 16^th won’t stun too many footballing folk but they are, after two difficult games it must be said, in a pointless rut after two emphatic defeats. The international break will have been a godsend to Gary Megson as it has allowed his side to recuperate before the arrival of a Blackburn side in close proximity. This is the type of fixture Gary Megson circles on his Ferrari calender as a day ‘I just might smile’.

  

Bolton are a million miles off those spending big sums of lolly and that has shown already this season, with defeats against Liverpool (2-3), Man Utd (2-1), Chelsea (0-4) & now Aston Villa (5-1). Some were close, others were separated by the width of the Nile. Still, Bolton, in the realistic world, were never going to be able to compete with those sides but they did show battling qualities in some, mainly the ones where they didn’t get a good spanking. However, now is the time when Bolton have no excuse cards to use up as a home fixture with Blackburn Rovers is an early gift wrapped present from Santa himself for those Reebok wearing Bolton fans to pick up a vital set of three points, points that would enable them to drive away from the point craving bottom pack.

  

In the crunch games against those teams around them, Bolton do tend to come good as they know what is at stake. A victory over Blackburn would not only give them three points, and some breathing space over the bottom three, but also the chance to mock former gaffer, Sam Allardyce. The latter will be more for the fans than those actually at Bolton but still, the message is clear, this is a huge game for Bolton and one they have to win at home. A venue which has seen them earn just six points from a possible fifteen.

 

 

 

 

Blackburn Rovers

 

League Position: 14th

Recent Form: LWLLW

  

‘Sammy Claus’ is coming to The Reebok on Saturday, although, we don’t think he’ll set up shop outside the stadium in his ‘Alla grotto’. ‘Big Sam’ does actually have the makings to be a fine Santa but he would prefer to be the tight fisted old Granddad figure this weekend by claiming all the spoils at his former home. Sam Allardyce, though, will need to put on a stern front as he embraces The Reebok once again, probably to a bitter cold reception, but the news that South Africa coach, Carlos Perreria, has hinted that Benni McCarthy needs to move on during January to enhance his bid to make the South African fold, will have made Sam’s blood boil, so perhaps ‘Big Sam’ isn’t so cold hearted after all. 

 

Blackburn’s strike force is already a limited edition collection so ‘Big Sam’ can ill-afford to drop any more offensive numbers, especially during such a difficult period in the season. With that said, Benni McCarthy hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of Sam’s selection mindset after starting just one game this season, making four cameo appearances from the bench, spending just 175 minutes on the pitch. Good old Benni did have an injury setback at the start of the season but he has been available for a while now but frustration could be growing inside of him as less pitch time could result in him hinting at a possible move over Christmas, and it’s not to go live with ‘Sammy Claus’.

  

Blackburn are a side in all sorts of troubles on the road. Allardyce has took his cub scouts, more formerly known as Blackburn Rovers, on five camping ventures this season, losing all five, most of which were resounding. Sunderland (2-1), Everton (3-0), Arsenal (6-2) Yes, Rovers did score TWICE, Chelsea (2-0) & Man Utd (2-0). There is no need to double check, Blackburn did somehow manage to score twice at The Emirates.

 

Rovers are pointless on the road this season, but what is more alarming is their inability to score goals away from Ewood Park. With the exception of their trip to The Emirates, Blackburn have score just the solitary away goal, hence why we referred to Blackburn as ‘campers’ above. They show no intent, will, endeavour, whatever you may want to call it, when playing away from home and simply refrain from striding froward by setting up camp in their own penalty box. Albeit they have had some tough away trips of late, ones which probably would have seen them thumped even more emphatically were it not for their negative tactics, but if you’re going to receive a battering then you may as well embrace one knowing you gave it a blooming good go.

 

  

 

Head-to-Head:

 

Bolton Wanderers W: 2 Blackburn Rovers W: 4 Draws: 4

 

At first glance, the head-to-head between the two looks deceiving, especially from the Bolton corner. At The Reebok stadium, Bolton have failed to beat Blackburn in seven meetings, stretching back nearly nine seasons. In that time, Blackburn have won on three occasions, with the remaining four all ending in a share of the spoils.

 

Strangely enough, Bolton’s better fortunes in previous clashes with Rovers have come on the road, winning on three of their last six visits to Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers. That statistic doesn’t really affect the outcome of this game though as Bolton’s home record against Blackburn looks dire.

 

  

 

Match Verdict:- Bolton Wanderers to WIN – 2.25 BetFred

 

With regards to our rant about Blackburn’s away intentions above, we doubt they will be so defensive as they were in their previous two away outings but still, those negative approaches to the game must have hindered their attackers. Very little of those games were spent in the opposing half so you would be fine for thinking that their strikers wouldn’t be as sharp as you would like or need. Bolton, however, put their all into every game, regardless of who they are playing or whether they will probably get well and truly smashed. Bolton have shown a lot more intent in their games to make us think that they actually want to win this game, a whole lot more than a poor travelling Blackburn.

 

 

  

Match Odds:

 

Bolton Wanderers – 2.25 BetFred

Draw – 3.30 Bet365

Blackburn Rovers – 3.60 SkyBet

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Matthew Taylor(Bolton) Anytime Goalscorer – 4.30 PaddyPower

 

 

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Full-Time: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Blackburn Rovers

 

Goalscorer(s): David Dunn, Sam Ricketts O.G. (Blackburn Rovers)