Eng. Championship
2013-03-05 - Bolton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 5 March 2013 - Kick Off 8pm
Bolton Wanderers
It is a surprising turn of events that none of the relegated sides from the Premier League last season are heavily involved in the promotion push back to that Division this season. Wolves are struggling to avoid a second successive relegation, while Blackburn Rovers have had issues all season with manager changes and inconsistent performances. Bolton Wanderers looked set for nothing more than a consolidation season after removing Owen Coyle as manager, but they have picked up some real momentum as they look to close on the Play Off places.
Bolton picked up another three points at the weekend and are now up to 10th in the Championship, although they do still have 7 points to make up to Brighton in the final Play Off place. Their chances are likely to rest on how they perform at the Reebok Stadium down the stretch as Bolton are 9-5-3 there this season while scoring 28 goals and conceding 17.
The win at Oakwell on Saturday means Bolton have won 3 League games in a row and they are unbeaten in their last 6 Championship games. Bolton have really got things going at the Reebok Stadium in the League as they are unbeaten in 5 games here since a surprise defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. Bolton have won 4 of those 5 games, including 3 in a row.
Blackburn Rovers
Manager changes, protests against the owners and inconsistent performances have summed up Blackburn Rovers this season and promotion looks unlikely now. Michael Appleton has guided Blackburn to the Sixth Round of the FA Cup and that game at the weekend may actually take priority over this one now with a potential trip to Wembley up for grabs in a 'winnable' game against Millwall, albeit at the Den.
A home loss to Peterborough United on Saturday dropped Blackburn Rovers down to 12th in the Championship and they are 10 points behind Brighton in 6th having also played a game more than them. Blackburn have a 3-9-5 away record in the Championship this season, scoring 23 goals and conceding 26 in those games.
Blackburn booked their place in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup with a hugely surprising 0-1 win at Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, but they have failed to win any of 4 League games since then and have lost 3 of those games. The side haven't won any of their last 4 away games in the League, losing their last 2 at Hull City and Leicester City.
Head to Head
Bolton Wanderers beat Blackburn Rovers 1-2 at Ewood Park earlier this season.
Bolton also beat Blackburn 2-1 here last season in the Premier League and have won their last 2 at home against their North-West rivals.
Prediction
At evens, Bolton Wanderers have to be the call in this one as they are the form team of the two and I can easily imagine Blackburn Rovers' players could be distracted with the FA Cup Sixth Round game at Millwall on deck.
The chance to play at Wembley may just be the reason for their poor run since beating Arsenal, and Bolton are certainly capable of adding another win to their recent solid form at the Reebok Stadium.
The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Bolton Wanderers to Win @ 2.00 (Bet Fred)
