Eng. Championship
2012-08-24 - Bolton Wanderers vs Nottingham Forest
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Friday 24 August 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Bolton Wanderers
The fans at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday night would have been relieved to see their side pick up the three points in a win over Derby County after losing on the opening day. There is no doubt that this is going to be a tough season for Bolton Wanderers who will be expected to challenge for promotion and anything less than a return to the top flight may be seen as a failure.
Bolton beat Derby 2-0 in their last game, but it wasn't a great performance all around and they were also booed off at half time. This was probably a reaction to the 2-0 defeat at local rivals Burnley on the opening day too.
The side struggled at home in the Premier League last season where they finished 4-4-11 and they also conceded 39 goals which was only surpassed by bottom club Wolves. This is an area they will look to improve this season and gaining a clean sheet in the first game here in the Championship is a good start to that end.
David N'Gog is still a doubt for the home side.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have played some very good football in the early part of the season and they are a little unfortunate that they haven't won all three games they have played so far. Sean O'Driscoll has got them playing a lot of possession football and they have been pleasing on the eye, but the fans will only stay happy if they keep picking up positive results.
After beating Fleetwood in the Capital One Cup, Forest beat Bristol City 1-0 at the City Ground on the opening day of the Championship season. They looked on course to picking up another three points on Tuesday night as they travelled to Huddersfield and led 0-1 going into the final minutes, but they conceded a penalty and had to settle for a point.
Forest had been much the better team at Huddersfield and deserved the three points and they have increased the expectations of the fan base with their performances so far. Last season they also picked up more wins away (8) than they did at home (6) and Forest look a real danger team for a promotion place this season.
Daniel Ayala missed out on both League games so far this season and he looks likely to be absent again.
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting in over ten seasons when Bolton beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 here in the League Cup.
That extends Bolton's unbeaten run at home to 5 games against Forest, although those matches stretch back over 20 years. Of those 5 games, Bolton have won 3.
Prediction
This should be a pretty good match for the TV cameras on Friday night and I think it is a pretty tough one to call.
Bolton do look a bit over-rated if you ask me and I think the price is based on the fact that they were a Premier League side last season. They haven't overwhelmed their two opponents so far and I believe Nottingham Forest are the best of the teams they have faced so far.
My biggest concern about Forest is that they have played well but only scored 3 goals in their 3 games so far this season. They do have 2 clean sheets and would have had another if not for a late penalty at Huddersfield, but they will still want to be more effective in front of goal.
The first goal will be critical as it is in a lot of games, but if Forest can get it, I think they will be able to avoid defeat with the amount of possession they have in games.
I did consider backing the draw in the game, but Bolton are still adjusting to the Championship and backing Nottingham Forest to avoid defeat at just under odds against looks the better call.
The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Nottingham Forest
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Nottingham Forest + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.85
