Manchester United V Bolton Wanderers – Saturday 17th October

 

Kick-off: Saturday 17^th October – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Old Trafford

 

 

 

Manchester United

 

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: WWWWD

 

United were made to look ordinary in their last league outing, that being a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford. A draw with anyone outside of the top four is always a bad result but when it comes at your own ground it’s seen as a disaster, especially when the performance to go with it was abysmal. Their passing was lacklustre, with passes often going astray and to the opponent. The defence at times was simply non-existent, with Sunderland mighty unlucky not to have scored more, while their attacking play was far from it’s normal clinical self. It was a bad day at the office but that’s all Fergie will be hoping it was, just a rare bad day.

  

A home game with Bolton is the ideal fixture to return straight back to winning ways, although Sir Alex has never been a huge fan of Bolton’s ‘awkward’ style of play and the visitors could cause United a few problems, especially as Rio Ferdinand still appears to be lacking match fitness. However, a big boost to the United cause will be the return of their first choice goalkeeper; Edwin Van Der Saar, after a lengthy injury lay-off. With the United defence conceding six goals in their last three home games, that can only be a big positive for the ‘Red Devils’.

  

We can only put the United display against Sunderland down to a blip as they were previously on a run of five straight victories, with wins over Arsenal, Tottenham & Man City some of their more creditable results. A bad day at the office was always due after some hard earned wins over their rivals and they should bounce back with authority as Bolton arrive at The Stadium of Dreams, formerly known as Old Trafford.

  

Manchester United are a best priced 2/9 with Expekt to do the business on home soil, which isn’t a bad price in all fairness. Of course it’s nothing to write home about but we actually expected slimmer odds than those presented to us. It would be pointless backing them in a single but they certainly look a worthy accumulator bet.

 

 

 

Bolton Wanderers

 

League Position: 13th

Recent Form: LWDWD

 

 

After a dreadful start to the campaign, which seen Bolton lose their opening three league fixtures, Gary Megson has since revitalised the troops and it’s duly paid dividends in a four match unbeaten streak consisting of two wins and two draws. Victories over Portsmouth (2-3) & Birmingham City (1-2) will hardly set the world alight but the simple fact that those were both away successes will not only spring a little bit of doubt into the minds of their matchday opponents but will also fill the Bolton players with the world of confidence as they head to a venue where they haven’t had much luck in recent visits.

  

It’s been nearly eight years since Bolton last took anything away from Old Trafford, that coming in a rare 1-0 victory. However, United have gone on to dominate proceedings ever since, winning the previous six encounters on home soil. That run will certainly come into the equation as Gary Megson attempts to pull off a master-stroke at Old Trafford. Will he do so, well, we can’t see them enjoying much success as United have started to hit a rich vein of form, but Bolton fans will be optimistic after seeing United close to pressing the destruct button in their previous home fixture with Sunderland, of which they drew 2-2 with the Black Cats.

 

Bolton will need to assert their authority in this match, let the United players know they are there and get in the faces of the likes of Wayne Rooney & Rio Ferdinand. Both players who will be riling after a disappointing spell with internationals, especially Ferdinand who has only recently returned to first team action. Bolton have to make this game as unattractive as possible but they will need to ensure their defence is ship tight, while the Finnish supremo; Jussi Jaaskelainen, will need to be on top form else Bolton could be in for a torrid 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

 

 

 

Head-to-Head:

 

Manchester United W: 8 Bolton Wanderers W: 1 Draws: 1

 

Alex Ferguson may moan about Bolton’s rugid tactics but United dominate the head-to-head between the two, winning eight of the previous ten encounters. Old Trafford hasn’t bared much fruit for Bolton, with United winning the previous six encounters at The stadium of Dreams, although, Bolton do have the honour of winning back-to-back games at Old Trafford, beating the Red Devils both in the 2001/2002 & 2002/2003 season. That was a long time ago, though, and it’s United who now have the upper hand as they aim to secure their seventh win in succession over Bolton.

 

 

Over 2.5 Goals: 5 Under 2.5 Goals: 5

 

Surprisingly, just two of the previous five meetings at Old Trafford has featured an Over 2.5 game, with the last two encounters both ending in 2-0 victories for United. This is a meeting which has produced repetitive scorelines, with United winning the previous two by a 2-0 scoreline, and then the two before by a 4-1 scoreline.

 

 

Key Player:- Wayne Rooney

 

Arguably Manchester United’s most influential player now Christiano Ronaldo has moved onto pastures new and he has took to the task like a duck out of water. Rooney returned home from the England camp a lot earlier then first anticipated with a niggle, but he should be fit to face Bolton on Saturday. The United forward has bagged six goals already this term, just two behind Fernando Torres, and this looks a fantastic opportunity for Rooney to bolster his goal tally for the season, providing he is fully fit.

 

 

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 2/9 Expekt

 

We fully expect a home win for the ‘Red Devils’ here as Bolton come to town. A recent slip up at home to Sunderland will have left Alex Ferguson giving his players the famous hair-dryer treatment and the message will be clear for his players ahead of this encounter, a win is the only acceptable result. With Chelsea playing earlier in the day, United will know what a win would do for their title ambitions. A victory could either keep them in touch or see them regain the top spot.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

 

Manchester United – 2/9 Expekt

 

Bolton Wanderers – 14/1 SkyBet

 

Draw – 5/1 PaddyPower

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Manchester United to WIN BOTH HALVES – 6/4 SkyBet