Bolton Wanderers V Arsenal Odds

Bolton Wanderers V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 24 April 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Reebok Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

Despite striving yet again to throw away a golden opportunity by squandering a 3-1 lead away at arch rivals Tottenham in midweek, 24 hours after league leaders Manchester United could only manage a 0-0 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park, Arsenal still find themselves in this title race, not that anyone knows how. However they now have Chelsea for company, who are finishing the stronger of the two and have instantly overtaken The Gunners as United’s main rival for the crown, according to the media anyway.

The funny thing is, Arsenal have only slipped one placed down the table into third courtesy of a slightly inferior goal difference to that of Chelsea. That said, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why the neutrals have suddenly ploughed all their faith into a Chelsea side finishing the season like a steam train, as opposed to a lacklustre Arsenal who once again display all the characteristics of a side severely lacking in that winning mentality the top-two certainly boast.

The above was epitomised at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, when Arsene Wenger frustratingly saw his side relinquish a seemingly unassailable 3-1 lead and drop two possibly pivotal points in a 3-3 draw. The match itself was a corker, one of the best games you’ll see all season, but that will be of scant consolation to Arsenal and their beleaguered manager, who simply must be growing tiresome of his side’s lack of backbone and mental toughness when it comes to killing off games and hanging on in there for maximum points.

Wednesday’s stalemate was Arsenal’s fifth draw in their last six league games, a damning statistic if ever there was one to back up everyone’s assumption that Arsene Wenger doesn’t boast enough maturity in his ranks. Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain, even said so himself, to the annoyance of his manager, which is perhaps an indication in itself that there is discontent with the ranks regarding Wenger’s transfer policy and his refusal to sign experienced players with proven ability.

But there is a massive positive for Arsenal supporters, as well as a small dose of irony, and that is that Lady Luck is clearly shining down on your side, as while your team continue to spurn every window of opportunity that comes their way, they are still in this title race, albeit by the skin of their teeth and in urgent need of the odd favour elsewhere. That could happen though, as United drawing 0-0 with Newcastle during the week proved, although Arsenal holding up their end of the bargain – the Londoners now requiring nothing less than a flawless finish to the season – may require the odd miracle in itself. Their remaining fixtures aren’t that difficult, they’re just in a dismal frame of mind right now, as well as form, and haven’t looked in the slightest bit capable of stringing together a succession of wins.

Victory at The Reebok would at least be a start, get the ball rolling and all that, and they’re fortunate that not only is its occupants nursing an FA Cup hangover but the venue itself has also been a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger’s men in recent times. Arsenal were pushed all the way during last season’s visit to Bolton but eventually ran out nervy 2-0 winners, that being their third consecutive away victory over the Trotters, as well as their eighth in succession home and away in the Premier League.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle will be eager to arrest Bolton’s dismal form against The Gunners, however he has a tough job on his hands just getting his players out on that pitch. After last Sunday’s 5-0 hiding in the semi-final of the FA Cup at the hands of Stoke, I doubt there will be too many in that Bolton dressing room excited at the prospect of turning out in front of their home fans for the first time since last week’s horror showing, especially as another may well be in the offing should they turn up in a similarly lacklustre mood when Arsenal pay them a visit on Sunday.

So then, just how demoralising was that FA Cup defeat for Bolton? Considering virtually all of the first-team have never lost a match of such magnitude and importance, I would hedge my bets on their being a fair amount of scarred individuals inside that Bolton dressing room. Ironically, they probably could have done without a home fixture next time out, as while their record at The Reebok is outstanding for the 2010/2011 term (W9 D5 L2), not to mention winning their last four home league games on the spin, the players are likely to be greeted by a lukewarm reception on Sunday, with disgruntled supporters still coming to terms with last Sunday’s woeful display in unquestionably the club’s biggest match since the turn of the Millennium.

Arsenal themselves aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders though, so Sunday’s fixture couldn’t be more ideal for both of them as the pair look to capitalise on one another’s recent misfortunes and fragile frame of minds. Heck, I’m sure Owen Coyle will be more than happy to lend Arsene Wenger his shoulder to cry on when another ‘controversial’ decision doesn’t go his team’s way before a somewhat inevitable draw.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League)

Bolton wins: 4
Draws: 5
Arsenal wins: 14

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Arsenal 4-1 Bolton
2009/2010: Arsenal 4-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 0-2 Arsenal
2008/2009: Arsenal 1-0 Bolton
2008/2009: Bolton 1-3 Arsenal
2007/2008: Bolton 2-3 Arsenal
2007/2008: Arsenal 2-0 Bolton
2006/2007: Arsenal 2-1 Bolton
2006/2007: Bolton 3-1 Arsenal

Streaks & Trends

Arsenal have won the last eight league meetings with Bolton, who last beat The Gunners in the Premier League back in 2006, when Nicolas Anelka scored twice for Bolton in a 3-1 success.

Bolton’s record at home to Arsenal during the Premier League era reads: W4 D2 L5.

The Trotters haven’t lost a league fixture at The Reebok since 24 January, their one and only home defeat in eleven home games, winning their last four on the spin.

No team has registered more points away from home this season than Arsenal (30pts), who have an away record of: W8 D6 L2.

Arsenal are unbeaten in the league for sixteen matches; 8 wins and as many draws, and have gone their last seven away from home without defeat.

The Gunners have now drawn five of their last six league games.

All of Arsenal’s last seven away games have produced a minimum of 3 goals, a little over four-goals on average.

Robin Van Persie has scored in four of Arsenal’s last five league games, and in each of their previous six on the road.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1.80 BetFred

Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title are fading fast and could even come crashing to an end at The Reebok if they don’t buck up their ideas and start showing a bit of steely determination for a change. Bolton could do with some of the same after their day out at Wembley to forget a week previous, not least because they are once again without combative midfielder Stuart Holden, arguably Bolton’s best player this season.

Because of the manner of their FA Cup semi-final defeat, it takes a brave punter to put a single ounce of faith in Bolton. Apart from the fact the spirit of the dressing room surely has to be at an al-time low, fans won’t exactly be ecstatic to see them on Sunday. So a couple of early goals from Arsenal and the scenes could get very ugly at The Reebok.

Fortunately for Bolton, The Reebok has been something of a fortress for them this season, where only two teams have won all season: Chelsea and Liverpool. Arsenal’s record is formidable there in recent seasons, but this is a better Bolton outfit than in previous terms, and had it not been for last Sunday’s FA Cup loss, Bolton would have been a stunning bet at the odds to ground out a result. As it is, without their stand-out player of the season in American Stuart Holden, whom works tirelessly to break down as many opposing attacks as possible, Bolton head into Sunday’s encounter alarmingly exposed.

Although they’ve been a constant source of frustration of late, Arsenal are my pick in this one to compound Bolton fans’ woes in a fixture they simply have to win in order to keep that flicker of hope alive.

Value Bet: Robin Van Persie to Score – 2.20 Coral

The Dutchman has been prolific for Arsenal since returning from injury late last year and has scored in each of The Gunners’ last six matches away from home, though in just two did he open the scoring.

Match Odds:

Bolton Wanderers – 5.00 Boylesports
Draw – 3.80 Bet365
Arsenal – 1.80 BetFred

Bolton Wanderers V Arsenal

Sunday, 17^th January – 16:00 GMT (Sky Sports 1)

Bolton Wanderers

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: LDWDD

The fact that Bolton are third from bottom will be a forgotten fact this weekend as the Bolton fans prepare to roll out of the red carpet for a former idol, Owen Coyle, as the former Burnley manager starts his reign as Bolton manager on Sunday in his first game in charge at a club he supported as a boy. His main objective will be to lift Bolton away from the doom and gloom of the bottom three but for now getting a result at home to Arsenal is his main concern.

It’s been a difficult first half of the season for Bolton fans who have often had to watch their team play in a rigid and stiff manner, and getting severely punished for it on occasions. This was one of the reasons why a change at the very top was needed but the stick the fans gave former manager, Gary Megson, wasn’t called for nor deserved but we’re sure Owen Coyle will get a tremendous reception at The Reebok this Sunday, although whether he leave there with the love still in tact is another question, and one that’s open to debate.

Bolton are currently struggling down in 18^th position but are just a point off safety. Also, with West Ham facing a tough trip to Villa Park, a draw on Sunday might be enough to lift Bolton out of the bottom three which would certainly be a big step in the right direction for the club and Owen Coyle’s reign as manager. To be honest, a point is probably a realistic goal for them this Sunday as predicting a home win looks a long shot in our eyes. Bolton simply haven’t been a match for most opponents this season, losing nearly half of their opening 18 completed fixtures. 

However, Bolton have given their confidence levels a big boost with a five match unbeaten run. They’ve gone unbeaten in four games in the league, one win and three draws, whilst they safely booked their passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 victory at home to Lincoln City, extending their unbeaten run to five in all competitions. This run will have done the players the world of good but wins have still been hard to come by with their last league victory coming back in December in a 3-1 win over a hapless West Ham. That is their one and only win in nine league games which isn’t good.

Good news for Bolton fans is that their side has been scoring goals again but they are leaking just as many at the back and are still the only side in the league not to have kept a clean sheet this season. That doesn’t look likely to change against the leagues most prolific striking force in Arsenal, so goals, and plenty of them, will be needed if Bolton are to take anything from this fixture. They scored two in their last home appearance, a 2-2 draw with Hull City, whilst they’ve found the net twelve times in their previous four home games so perhaps Bolton are capable of a big goalscoring display.

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: DWWWD

Arsenal will be looking to continue their charge on the top two when they travel to Bolton in a game they are more than capable of winning at a cantor. However, the Gunners shown drastic signs of complacency and arrogance in their last outing in the league when they drew 2-2 with Everton at The Emirates. That, too, was a game Arsenal could and probably should have won on paper but that draw threw a spanner in the works after previously managing to win four games on the trot, so we mustn’t get too carried away either.

The talk this week was all about the return of a defensive God in Sol Campbell as the former England centre-half played 45 minutes in the Arsenal reserves on Tuesday night. His lack of fitness means he won’t be available for this trip after Arsene Wenger confirmed he would require Campbell’s services for the remainder of the season, although it’s hard to see where he would fit in as William Gallas & Thomas Vermaelen have been superb at the back for Arsenal this season in defending their own goal and scoring goals of their own. Still, Campbell’s return has given the fans something to talk about and lifted the spirit of the fans and players ahead of what will be a tough match at The Reebok.

It’s imperative that Arsenal get back to winning ways after only picking up a point last weekend in their home fixture with Everton. Arsenal were really sloppy in that fixture and could consider themselves fortunate to have drawn that game as Everton outplayed them in parts. Both of Arsenal’s goals were via deflections and the Gunners needed a bit of luck to get them through what really should have been a three pointer for them. That’s the good thing about the Premiership in that there’s always a game the following weekend to make amends and Arsene Wenger will be expecting a huge performance from his chosen starting eleven on Sunday in a bid to make an instant return to winning ways.

It’s quite apparent that Arsenal have been far stronger at home this season, winning 8 at home to their 5 on the road, but Arsene Wenger’s side have still been a tricky opponent away from The Emirates and are unbeaten in their last three road trips, four if you include their 2-1 success at Upton Park in the FA Cup. The last time they lost an away league fixture was to Sunderland back in November, while they’ve lost three of ten away fixtures at the midway point, which isn’t great but isn’t catastrophic, either. Goals, though, have still been flying in scoring 23 in just ten away outings thus far, but with Wenger still missing his two brightest sparks in Van Persie & Fabregas, although the latter could be closer to a return, will Arsenal struggle for creativity at The Reebok like they did last weekend at The Emirates?

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

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

•  Arsenal won both meetings last season; winning at The Emirates 1-0 and 3-1 at The Reebok. 

•  Arsenal’s goalscorers in last seasons 3-1 success were Eboue, Bendtner & Denilsion, but all three will be missing for the trip this time around. 

•  Arsenal are on a roll after winning the last five encounters, home and away, with Bolton. 

•  Arsenal have won on their last two visits to The Reebok scoring 3 goals on both occasions. 

•  The last eight meetings at The Reebok has seen Bolton score at least one goal in each game, while Arsenal have scored in six of the eight. 

• Bolton’s last home victory over the Gunners came back in 2006, winning 3-1.

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 1.57 SkyBet

We were tempted to select the draw but we feel Arsenal should have just enough to overhaul a resurgent Bolton Wanderers on their own turf. Arsene Wenger will be without some key players, perhaps even Cesc Fabregas, but the likes of Thomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri & Eduardo will need to step up to the mark in their absence and pull a bid display out of the bag as Arsenal really need all three points. Bolton will use their superior physical strength to try and play hustle with Arsenal, a tactic which has worked for Bolton against Arsenal in the past, but we feel Arsenal’s quality will prevail in this contest.

Match Odds:

Bolton Wanderers – 6.50 PaddyPower

Draw – 4.00 Bet365

Arsenal – 1.57 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Eduardo FGS – 6.5 SkyBet