Bolton Wanderers Vs Everton Betting – Sunday 25th October

Kick-off: 13:30 GMT

Venue: The Reebok

Bolton Wanderers

League Position: 15th 

Recent Form: WDWDL

It’s not often that Bolton can come away from Old Trafford feeling hard done by but that was the case last weekend. In a game where Bolton didn’t get off to the best of starts, they shown grit and fighting characteristics to claw a goal back and ground out several golden opportunities to level the game late on. The fact that Bolton did fail to produce a leveller will heavily disappoint the manager but the manner of Bolton’s second half performance will bring about a rye smile from Gary Megson as his side are starting to show signs of much improved form.

The defeat away at Man Utd, losing 2-1, ended a four match unbeaten run for Bolton, a run which consisted of two away victories at Portsmouth & Birmingham. Those were big and somewhat surprising results but it does highlight a significant statistic for Bolton this season and that’s the one where they haven’t won at home since the season kicked into action, earning just two points in four home fixtures thus far. In a league where home form is crucial, Bolton’s dire run at home could prove the difference between safety and relegation this season.

It’s imperative that Bolton secure their maiden home win of the season as soon as possible as home ruts can rapidly demoralise a team. It would be fair to say that they have had some rather ‘awkward’ home fixtures but many were still winnable games it has to be said. A 3-2 defeat to Liverpool didn’t turn very many heads but a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, in combination with two score draws with Stoke City & Tottenham Hotspur, will have left Bolton fans scratching their heads over when they will actually see their side win on home soil.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem at The Reebok, with Bolton scoring in their previous three home fixtures. They have scored five goals in three home matches and, although that’s hardly inspiring goalscoring form, it proves Bolton can grind out a goal or two in front of their fans. However, it’s defending which seems to be the apparent problem for Gary Megson with Bolton already having conceded seven goals at home. It’s also worth mentioning that Bolton have kept just two clean sheets in their last thirteen home games at The Reebok, a statistic which will leave his opposing number licking his lips at the prospect of extending that unwanted run.

Everton 

League Position: 11th 

Recent Form: LWWDD

It’s not been the best of starts for Everton and David Moyes as they set out to finish in the top six for the fourth season in a row. David Moyes has always given the Europa League, the second tier in UEFA European competition, a lot of respect and his objective for each new season has always been to finish in a European position. That won’t have changed this season but their poor start to the season has given them an uphill task already but the players in the squad are more then capable of a resurgence.

Matters on the pitch have improved of late, although, two draws at home to Stoke City & Wolverhampton Wanderers weren’t what Moyes nor the fans had in mind. David Moyes would have expected his side to pick up maximum points from those two home fixtures but the fact that they didn’t even get one victory will have him pondering what he has to do to alter Everton’s fortunes.

David Moyes will be under no illusion of the difficulty a trip to Bolton will be for his squad. However, Everton have enjoyed some favourable results at The Reebok in recent visits, winning on their previous two outings, so they’ll be confident of getting the win they so desperately crave and one that should kick-start their season back into life.

Everton’s away form thus far isn’t great at all, winning just one of two away games thus far. They suffered back-to-back away defeats at Burnley (1-0) & Fulham (2-1), although they should have gotten at least a point from both based on their performances. Nevertheless, they bounced back with a 1-0 victory in Portsmouth in their latest away outing and we fancy them to extend their away winning run to two at the expense of Bolton.

Head-to-Head:

Bolton Wanderers W: 2 Everton W: 7 Draws: 1

Bolton have a terrible record against Everton, winning just two of the previous ten meetings between the two sides. The Toffee’s have won on their previous two visits to The Reebok stadium while a Bolton win last came back in the 2004/2005 season, with Bolton winning a 3-2 scorcher then. Gary Megson’s side couldn’t even manage a goal in last seasons encounter at The Reebok so he’ll be expecting a much better display from his players this time around.

Match Verdict:- Everton to WIN – 2.63 Bet365

The problem with this selection is that Everton themselves haven’t been playing too well, either. However, although two draws on the spin to Stoke City & Wolves won’t strike fear into the eyes of their match day opponents, Everton do still remain unbeaten in four games, while Bolton have already lost two games at home this season, with Gary Megson’s side having a 50% losing record at The Reebok thus far. Everton’s season has to improve, and quickly, starting with a well earned victory away at Bolton.

Match Odds: 

Bolton Wanderers – 2.75 PaddyPower 

Draw – 3.4 SkyBet

Everton – 2.63 Bet365

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.0 Bet365