Bolton Wanderers V Liverpool

English Premiership 2009/2010 – Game Week 4

Bolton Wanderers V Liverpool

Kick-Off: Saturday 29^th August – 15:00 GMT

Venue: The Reebok

Bolton Wanderers

League Position: 17th 

Recent Form: LL

Bolton are another side yet to pick up any points in their quest to stay well clear of relegation and their cause won’t be aided by a home clash with Premiership giants, Liverpool. Two narrow defeats, one at home to Sunderland on the opening day and then going down against struggler’s Hull at The KC last weekend. What will hurt Bolton fans the most is the fact that both games finished 1-0, obviously not in their favour. Bolton have battled hard in both but, in all fairness, they could have lost by much bigger margins in both encounters, especially the latter result against Hull City.

Gary Megson has struggled to reinforce his Bolton squad during the summer and it’s already showing. Their defence looks vulnerable, their midfield is light on numbers, while their forwards, well, do they have any? Kevin Davies is their only recognised striker, i suppose you could count John Elmander if needs must, but neither are what you would call ‘Premiership quality’. Bolton haven’t had too many issues with creating chances but they will struggle throughout the course of the season if they don’t strengthen in the final third.

Bolton have problems throughout the whole of their squad to be brutally honest. Both Sunderland and Hull have got the better of Bolton and both teams really could of given Gary Megson’s side a good thrashing. What you got to think about is, if both Hull and Sunderland had no problems whatsoever with carving Bolton open, what will Liverpool do? Especially as Liverpool have plenty of quality in the final third, none more so than Fernando Torres. You don’t dare think about if you’re a Bolton supporter as it will lead to sleepless nights.

Liverpool

League Position: 10^th  

Recent Form: LWL

Can Liverpool, last seasons runners-up, already be totally discounted from winning this years title? Two defeats from their opening three games have had the critics spring up in excitement at the chance of lashing out at one of the title contenders. Liverpool now find themselves just six points off league leaders Tottenham, yes, just six points. Let’s not get too carried away here ladettes, although, any more lacklustre performances from Rafa Benitez’s team and they will be lucky to grab a Europa League finish at this rate.

Their 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa, at home, was just their first defeat at fortress Anfield in 31 games. A record that stretched all the way back to 2007 and was bizarrely diminished at the hands of an average Villa side. That result will compound the misery of the Liverpool fans who, first the first time since i can remember, actually booed their team off at HT when Liverpool were down 2-0. It’s clear for all to see that Liverpool are now a club in disarray although some could see it coming after a dreadful pre-season. Liverpool simply have to make a speedy recovery and, although a trip to Bolton could be just what the doctored ordered, the ‘rustle & bustle’ approach of the opposition is just what Liverpool don’t need. All the Liverpool players appear to do nowadays is stand around and moan at the referees for the apparent ‘harsh’ treatment they’re receiving. Our sympathy message – Man up and play the game you’re getting handsomely paid for.

Liverpool’s performance on Monday night against Aston Villa was one of the poorest performances from any Liverpool side that’s gone previously, in our brutal opinion. Not one of their so called ‘Big Players’ stood up and fought for the cause with Fernando Torres doing less mileage than an in-peak Matt Le Tissier and Steven Gerrard, for once anyway, failing to be the hero with his worst performance in a Liverpool shirt. His terrible lunge, which resulted in a penalty for Villa, was the cause for Liverpool’s demise and it’s clear that everyone, bar new signing; Glen Johnson, who had a superb game at right-back, is lacking in confidence, if not that then certainly any fighting spirit. Now, Bolton certainly have a lot of spirit, they’ve always had that attribute, and if Liverpool think they can simply turn up at The Reebok and win, like they did at Anfield on Monday, they will be in a for a huge shock and possibly another massive setback.

Head-to-Head:

Bolton W: 2 Liverpool W: 7 Draws: 1 Overs – 5 Unders – 5

Fortunatly, for Liverpool fans anyway, The ‘reds’ have enjoyed this meeting in the past, winning seven of the previous ten encounters. However, five of those came at Anfield with just two actually coming at The Reebok, home of Bolton. Liverpool have won on their previous two visits though, both by a clear margin as well with Liverpool winning 2-0 last season and 3-1 the year before.

Predicting Over/Under in this game looks a precarious call as it really could go either way, Bolton tend to be a solid side and, unless Liverpool score an early goal, it’s very unlikely that this will end in a game filled with goals.

Match Verdict: A reluctant back of Liverpool – 3/5 Expekt

After watching the full game on Monday night, considering I’m actually a Liverpool supporter, I’m tempted to back Bolton. You could say Liverpool weren’t at the races but that’s a familiar characteristics with Liverpool teams of recent. If you’re having a punt on a Liverpool revival then you’re basically betting on which Liverpool team will actually show up. The side that actually wants to fight for the cause and put their heart & Soul onto the pitch or the team that simply cannot be bothered. I’d be more inclined to say the latter but maybe Monday’s defeat was the reality check Liverpool needed?

Match Odds:

Bolton wanderers – 11/2 Bet365

Liverpool – 3/5 Expekt

Draw – 3/1 888Sport

SoccerBetting Tip: Glen Johnson to Score Anytime – 6/1 WilliamHill