ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - BOLTON WANDERERS V LIVERPOOL

English Premier

2010-10-31 - Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool

A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter

Bolton Wanderers v Liverpool
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 31st October 2010 – Kickoff 4pm

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Owen Coyle's Bolton take on Roy Hodgson's beleaguered Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday with each match bringing a whole new challenge and potential danger of a sharpened axe for Reds manager Roy Hodgson.

I think it's slightly unfair on what I consider to be a good English football manager, but having followed football for over thirty years, I can't remember a worse start to a season by a Liverpool manager.

Bolton Wanderers (8th)

But firstly, let's take a look at Bolton who seem to be the early draw specialists, along with counterparts Fulham and Sunderland, drawing six of their first nine matches and with a home record that stands at 1-3-0 6/5.

However, the Trotters remain unbeaten at The Reebok Stadium and will take heart from their recent 2-1 win over Stoke City, while getting a point at Wigan last weekend in another draw – 1-1.

For a side that haven't scored many goals at home so far, Bolton possess a few dangerous players capable of upsetting even the best; striker Johan Elmander (5 goals, 1 assist) is their leading scorer, while fellow forward Kevin Davies (2 goals, 1 assist) is a real handful around the box and certainly possesses a poacher’s instinct.

Ex-Man City midfielder Martin Petrov (1 goal, 2 assists) was a steal, and he's very capable of supplying that killer pass, and can score goals in his own right.

Bolton have only beaten Liverpool once in their last ten league meetings - I don't think that Bolton will ever have a better opportunity than on Sunday to improve on that win:loss ratio.

Liverpool (18th)

Sunday's visitors, Liverpool will know that they must not lose this one - perhaps they might settle for a point away from home as they bid to escape the early relegation places, but a loss is out of the question.

Liverpool have now gone five away matches without a win, and the pressure has been building steadily, but with their recent two away defeats at the hands of old enemies Manchester United & arch-rivals Everton, Hodgson must steady the ship and soon.

The Reds away stats read a miserable 0-1-3 2/8, with only West Ham on a par for the least amount of away goals scored on the road. Even goal-shy Birmingham City (6 goals) possess a better goals-for record on the road.

Maybe the players hearts aren't in it for Hodgson – a hang-over still from Benitez? I for one am glad that Benitez has finally left, but Hodgson needs some results quickly to save his neck.

With the likes of Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt etc etc in the side, the only thing that appears to be missing is motivation from the players. Do they respect Hodgson?

Time will tell through results I guess, but I wouldn't be backing Liverpool for straight wins just yet – two Premiership wins does not a season make, and all that.

The Betting Verdict :

I feel that Bolton will sense a definite opportunity to grab all three points, but just in case it ends in another draw, I’m covering that too.

And if Liverpool win, fair play to them I reckon.

The Statistics :

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