Fulham V Bolton Wanderers Betting – Saturday 28th November

Fulham V Bolton Wanderers

Kick-off: Saturday 28th November – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Craven Cottage

Fulham

League Position: 12th

Recent Form: WDWDL

It’s that not so old conundrum where just about every team in the Premiership aims to finish in the European place but, once they get their, don’t actually want to be in the competition itself unless it’s the best of the best – The Champions League. The Europa League, the second tier of European’s elite footballing competition, hasn’t been shown the utmost respect by managers of late, especially those in England, and Roy Hodgeson has maintained that trend by fielding relatively weak squads in most of Fulham’s European encounters so far. However, it is a fine balancing act and it’s one he must keep under control with Premiership outings immediately after European ventures nowadays.

However, although some clubs were in European action in midweek, those in the Europa League were given the week off and that should benefit Fulham ahead of their home encounter with Bolton Wanderers. With Fulham now without a win in two games, the European rest bite will have been welcomed with open arms by manager, Roy Hodgeson. The Fulham gaffer has already stated on several occasions this season that the league is the clubs main priority and that obtaining a reasonable finish, roundabouts the mid-table area, is the objective. Their early season form does indicate that they could be there or thereabouts but consistency is still an issue for the Cottagers, although there have been signs of improvements in that area. 

Although the defeat will have left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Fulham players, they can be proud of the fact that the 1-0 loss at Birmingham City on Saturday was their first in well over a month. They were previously unbeaten in five league outings, a run which included three successive away draws but also two impressive home victories, one of which came over Liverpool, winning 3-1. The latter was their last encounter at Craven Cottage so the players, after spending two of their last three fixture on the road, and will arrive back to the Cottage with happy memories after recently beating Blackburn Rovers 3-0.

Craven Cottage maybe one of the smaller stadiums in the Premiership but Fulham are converting the Cottage into a mini-fortress at current. Thus far, six fixtures have been played at the home of Fulham, with the Cottagers boasting a home record of 4-0-2. The two defeats do damage what is a fine home record as both those came in form of narrow defeats to two of the so called ‘Big Four’. They lost 2-0 to Chelsea whilst they were might unfortunate to lose 1-0 against Arsenal, a game where they battered the former champions from start to finish. Nevertheless, those games haven’t had a lasting affect on the spirit within the camp as Fulham have beaten everything but since, with wins over Everton (2-1), Hull City (2-0), Blackburn (3-0) and the best of them all – Liverpool (3-1).

Also, Roy Hodgeson could welcome back both Danny Murphy & Andrew Johnson from injury, with the pair already taking part in training sessions with the first team. That will be a welcome boost for Hodgeson, especially Murphy, who is the clubs current captain, while Johnson’s pace has been an asset Fulham have sorely missed.

Bolton Wanderers

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: LWLLL

After a miserable weekend, Gary Megson will send his troops into battle once more in a bid to not only make amends for their shoddy performance last Sunday but also to avenge the defeat they suffered at the hands of Fulham last season, losing 2-1 at Craven Cottage. To be brutally honest, Bolton haven’t fared at all well in recent clashes with Fulham, especially those in London, and after a poor performance last weekend, surely Fulham are the bet to be on here?

Bolton fans will be hoping that’s not the case as another defeat at the hands of Fulham would be their third in a row at Craven Cottage, but also their fourth defeat on the spin in the league, following defeats at home to Chelsea (4-0), away at Aston Villa (5-1), and their 2-0 demise at home to Blackburn last Sunday. It really has been a dire run of results, with Bolton not only failing to pick up any points since late October, but also shipping a large amount of goals. Since receiving a battering by Chelsea, Jussi Jaaskelainen has seen his net bulge on eleven occasions in just three outings. Whilst the Bolton forwards have managed just the solitary goal in return.

Surprisingly, Bolton have fared slightly better on the road this season, winning a game more while on their travels and earning a point more, also. However, both their victories have come over fairly ordinary opponents, while their last two away trips have resulted in two defeats. However, with the exception of their thumping at Villa Park, losing 5-1, they have been a solid outfit on the road this season, even pushing Manchester United all the way, albeit in vein, losing 2-1 at Old Trafford. Only once in five away ventures have Bolton failed to score, that being a 1-0 defeat to Hull City, so there are some positives for the Bolton manager to take on board, although last Sunday’s display might just have erased those positive thoughts.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Fulham W: 5 Bolton Wanderers W: 3 Draws: 2

Fulham don’t only sneak ahead in the head-to-head counter between the two but they’ve also been far superior at Craven Cottage, with Bolton without a win at the Cottage in their previous ten visits and counting. Since Fulham joined the Premiership back in 2001, they have beaten Bolton at Craven Cottage on seven of the eight occasions they’ve met in league action. That’s an impressive feat for the Cottagers at the Cottage.

To be fair, Bolton haven’t faired much better back at The Reebok, with Gary Megson’s side failing to beat Fulham in their last two encounters at The Reebok. That does mean that Bolton haven’t beaten Fulham in four league meetings, losing three and drawing just the one

Match Verdict:- Fulham to WIN – 2.00 WilliamHill

A win for Fulham would be their second in quick succession and their fourth home win in a row, where they to record all three points. Craven Cottage is generally where Fulham play their best football and obtain the most of their points, and we expect this home trend to continue into Saturday with another vital set of three points. Bolton were dreadful at the weekend, and that miserable defeat can only demoralise a camp. Now Bolton are closing in on the bottom three and, although this is usually when Bolton come out fighting, they could be on the wrong end of yet another knock-out at Craven Cottage.

Match Odds:

Fulham – 2.00 WilliamHill

Draw – 3.50 Bet365

Bolton Wanderers – 4.30 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Fulham to WIN to NIL – 3.30 PaddyPower