English Premier
2011-04-09 - Bolton Wanderers vs West Ham
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 9 April 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Bolton Wanderers
Owen Coyle has finally got Sam Allardyce out of the memories for Bolton fans and has his team flying as high as they were in Big Sam's days. However, he will be looking to go one step further as he has the chance to guide Bolton to the FA Cup Final next weekend, a feat that would be greater than the Carling Cup Final Bolton reached under Allardyce.
The Trotters are up to 8th in the Premier League and their 40 points gained is surely enough to keep Bolton in the top flight again this season. Owen Coyle wont be looking at the bottom of the table with only 5 points separating them from 6th placed Liverpool. Bolton are 8-5-2 at the Reebok Stadium, scoring 28 goals and conceding 19. Only Tottenham and Manchester United have lost less games at home this season, while there are 5 teams in the League that have won more.
Bolton have lost back to back Premier League games that stopped a run of 6 unbeaten. They had actually won 5 of those games and both of the last two defeats were close and they could have got more out of those games. They have won their last 3 Premier League games at home and 5 of their last 7.
Zat Knight has been out for over a month but is hoping to return for this game and show he is available for the Cup Semi Final next week. Mark Davies is also hopeful to return to the squad but Stuart Holden and Sam Ricketts are long term injuries.
West Ham United
At around 1.33pm last Saturday, West Ham were putting a bit of distance between themselves and the relegation zone and looked to be carrying a lot of momentum forward for the end of the campaign. However, a second half blitz from Manchester United and their relegation rivals picking up positive results means Avram Grant's team is once again in a spot of bother.
West Ham are 18th in the Premier League and find themselves 1 point behind Blackpool in the safety zone. They will look to improve their 2-7-6 away record where they have scored 16 goals and conceded 28.
The defeat to United last week means the Hammers have failed to win any of their last 3 games in all competitions, losing 2 of them, and the momentum picked up from 3 straight wins has to have been reduced. They have picked up some form away from home and are unbeaten in their last 4 Premier League games, picking up 6 points from a possible 12. West Ham drew at White Hart Lane in their last away game, their first clean sheet away from home all season.
Avram Grant will be suspended from the touchline for this game. The Israeli does not have any new injury concerns.
Head to Head
Bolton have won the last 7 games against West Ham, 6 of those in the Premier League, including a 1-3 win at Upton Park earlier this season.
In fact, West Ham have won just 1 of the last 14 meetings between the sides and have lost 11 of them.
Bolton have won their last 8 home games against the Hammers, 7 of those in the Premier League. They won this fixture 3-1 last season.
Prediction
I am a little surprised to see the prices on the Bolton win considering their recent record against West Ham and the way they are playing. I have a feeling too much has been made of the FA Cup Semi Final to be played next week and Bolton have been a little underestimated.
West Ham had been playing a lot better, but the second half capitulation against Manchester United would have hurt them and they may be suffering a little bit of a hangover from that game.
Owen Coyle will also expect his side to secure the 3 points that will effectively secure their place in the Premier League and I have to bite at the prices on offer for the home win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 West Ham United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Bolton Wanderers to WIN @ 2.25 (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter- the direct link is below
