Davies to fire Trotters to safety

Bet on the Premier LeagueAfter 37 exciting rounds of fixtures, there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table on the last day of the Premier League season, with Bolton (1/3 to be relegated) and QPR (9/4) battling to avoid the final relegation place.

Bolton occupy 18th right now and know that only a victory at Stoke will keep them in the top-flight while 17th-placed QPR will believe that an unlikely point away at leaders Manchester City should be enough for them to avoid the drop.

Following their promotion in 2001, Bolton have largely been one of the mid-table stalwarts of the division, with their strong defensive play and plucky resilience.

However, they have struggled recently due to a number of long-term injuries to key players, as well as a lack of investment within the squad, and now stand on the brink or relegation.

They travel to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday and, as already mentioned, need to win to stand any chance of avoiding Championship football next season (Stoke 11/8, draw 5/2, Bolton 15/8 – Match Betting).

However, it will not be easy as Tony Pulis’ side always present a tough challenge, especially on home soil.

Like many before them, Stoke appear to be rather burnt-out following their first season of European football and have struggled in the second half of the campaign.

However, despite their problems, they still have a number of quality players who could threaten Owen Coyle’s men, most notably Peter Crouch. The lanky striker appears to have come back into form recently and he’ll be looking for another big showing following talk of a potential return to the England squad.

If the Trotters are to survive, they will need a big performance from skipper and talisman Kevin Davies (7/4 to score any time). After an indifferent campaign, the veteran has once again proven his worth in recent weeks, scoring a number of vital goals. He’ll relish the challenge of facing the Potters’ physical defenders and he could score the goal that keeps his side up.

After Wigan won at the Britannia on the final day of last season, Bolton will fancy their chances and should just sneak it in an extraordinarily tight encounter.

In the other match which will have a say on relegation, Mark Hughes takes his QPR team to the North-West to face former club Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (City 1/7, draw 8/1, QPR 16/1 – Match Betting).

The Hoops have an advantage in that the situation is in their hands and a draw would probably see them survive due to their vastly superior goal difference.

However, they face a Citizens team that knows a win will see them claim their first title since 1968 and after a topsy-turvy season, they will be desperate for the points.

The one to watch for City is undoubtedly Carlos Tevez (4/7 to score any time) who, following his much publicised problems in the first half of the season, has inspired his team-mates since returning to the fold in March. He will be desperate to make the difference at the Etihad so look out for a big performance from him.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, QPR can hold some hope in that they have fared reasonably well against the big teams this year, having beaten the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

If they are to have any hope of success on Sunday though, striker Djibril Cisse (3/1 to score any time) will need to have the game of his life. The inconsistent Frenchman has scored five in seven since joining the club in January and in the right mood can trouble any defence.

However, City will surely win this quite comfortably and the result could see Rangers return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Can the Trotters beat the Potters?

With all the attention surrounding Saturday’s eagerly-awaited all-Manchester FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, we should not forget that two of the Premier League’s middle of the road sides are hoping to make some history by reaching the final when Bolton face Stoke on Sunday afternoon (4pm Kick-off).

Owen Coyle is looking to guide the Wanderers to their first FA Cup final since 1958 – when they defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Wembley thanks to a double from Nat Lofthouse.

Sadly, Lofthouse passed away earlier this year so what a fitting tribute it would be to the Trotters legend if his beloved Bolton could reach the final where, ironically, they could be up against the Red Devils (13/8 Man U v Bolton Name The Finalists) just like 53 years ago.

Coyle will be missing the potency of the cup-tied on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge so he will have to pitch Rodrigo or Ivan Klasnic (15/8 Anytime Goalscorer) into his starting XI for the game.

Midfielder Mark Davies is expected to be included in the squad after returning to training following an ankle problem. But Stuart Holden, Sean Davis and Sam Ricketts remain sidelined through injury.

However, four-times FA Cup winners Bolton (9/2 Outright) go into the contest in fairly good form having kept six clean sheets in their last nine FA Cup games and they have lost only two of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Stoke have never played in an FA Cup final (Evens To Qualify) after falling at the semi-final stage in 1899 and in the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons when, on both occasions, they lost to Arsenal in a replay.

Potters boss Tony Pulis will stick with Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who replaces regular number one Asmir Begovic, because he has been a regular in previous rounds.

Striker John Carew (8/1 First Goalscorer) could come into contention following a four-match absence with a back problem.

Stoke have won, lost and drawn in their last three Premier League games, but have managed to score in their last nine games against Bolton (19/10 To keep A Clean Sheet) to give them hope.

Bolton enjoy the better of their previous FA Cup meetings with three wins from five, with one draw and one win for Stoke, while both sides have won on home soil in this season?s Premier League encounters.

Looking at the record between the two sides it is impossible to pick a winner and for that reason I am expecting it to be a long afternoon at Wembley with a penalty shoot-out (10/1 Bolton & Stoke To Win On Penalties) not beyond the realms of possibility.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 9/4
Value Bet: 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Resurgent Trotters look strong

There is one game on Sunday and one game on Monday in the Premier League, with an all North-West affair and a west London derby to look forward to. Bolton entertain Everton on Sunday, while Chelsea travel to Fulham on Monday and here’s are take on the games…….

Bolton v Everton

Bolton seem to have picked up after their January lull, and it is no coincidence that the Wanderers form has improved at the same time Lee Chung-Yong returned from Asian Cup duty and Daniel Sturridge joined on loan from Chelsea.

Bolton were unlucky to come away from White Hart Lane with nothing to show for their efforts last time out and will be desperate to get back to winning ways by seeing off Everton on Sunday.  Indeed, Bolton nearly managed to take three points off the Merseyside outfit earlier in the season but were denied by a last gasp Jermaine Beckford equaliser and Owen Coyle?s men should be in confident mood ahead of Everton’s visit.

Everton managed to secure a 5-3 win over Blackpool in a thrilling encounter last weekend, but boss David Moyes has been dealt a massive blow ahead of the trip to Bolton as Louis Saha has been ruled out with a hamstring problem.  The former Manchester United striker had been in fantastic form and managed to score an impressive four goals against the Seasiders, but with the Frenchman ruled out for the trip to Bolton the Toffees could well struggle to hit the target.

Bolton have a decent record on home soil and have lost just twice at the Reebok over the course of the current campaign.  In contrast, Everton have only tasted victory on two occasions in their 13 away games so far and could struggle to get the better of Bolton, especially with the in-form Saha sidelined (Match Betting – Bolton 13/8, draw 23/10, Everton 13/8).

Fulham v Chelsea

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti conceded defeat in the battle for the Premier League title this week, but that does not mean the Blues will simply roll over from here on in. The Stamford Bridge side are still battling for a top four spot and will be keen to take all three points from their encounter with local rivals Fulham.

Ancelotti has confirmed that January signing David Luiz will start against Fulham after making his debut as a substitute in the loss against Liverpool last weekend, while Fernando Torres should also feature despite his subdued display in his debut.

Fulham are a decent side at Craven Cottage and after a difficult start to the season, they have managed to get back on track and look as if they will comfortably avoid the drop. However, Chelsea, and in particular Torres, will be desperate to impress after being beaten by Liverpool last time out and they should be too strong for Mark Hughes- Cottagers on Monday night (Match Betting – Fulham 19/5, draw 13/5, Chelsea 3/4).

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Anxious Ancelotti faces Trotters

The Christmas programme continues on Wednesday when Chelsea entertain Bolton, Wigan play host to Arsenal and Liverpool take on rock-bottom Wolves in the Premier League.

Chelsea v Bolton (7:45pm)

Chelsea fans seeking a belated Christmas present could finally get some festive cheer on Wednesday when the stuttering champions entertain Bolton at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti’s double winners were five points clear at the top of the Premier League two months ago – but have failed to win in six and could be overtaken if the unthinkable happens against Wanderers in west London.
Noises about the future of the experienced Italian coach have done little to appease dismayed Blues followers but a first win on home soil since November 10 on Wednesday could set Chelsea up for a big push for the domestic crown.
Frank Lampard and Michael Essien are now back in tandem in the Blues engine room and Didier Drogba has shown signs of getting back to his unplayable best.
The Trotters had just 19 fully-fit senior professionals available for their Boxing Day win over West Brom and have now lost South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong to the Asia Cup. They have also not won at Stamford Bridge since 2003.
Chelsea could be nervous so the way to go could be to take the 16/5 about the draw-Chelsea half-time/full-time outcome.

Wigan v Arsenal (7:45pm)

Wigan are arguably the most difficult Premier League team to pin down in terms of a betting proposition and a Boxing Day win over fellow strugglers Wolves has set them up perfectly to stop Arsenal in their tracks.
Latics effectively killed the Gunners’ title hopes in April this year when they scored three goals in the last 10 minutes to seal a memorable 3-2 come-from-behind win at the DW Stadium and are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches on home soil.
You have to go back to September 19 to find the last time Wigan lost in front of their own supporters and Arsene Wenger will know his players cannot afford to relax after a Christmas cracker against Chelsea.
Both Teams To Score can be backed at 10/11 in what could be an open affair and the 7/1 about an Arsenal 2-1 Correct Score offers value.

Liverpool v Wolves (8pm)

Liverpool are just three points above third-from-bottom Wigan but dig a little deeper and that is perhaps a fair reflection on Roy Hodgson’s side on home soil.
The Merseysiders have not played since December 15 because of the bad weather so should be itching for the visit of basement club Wolves to finally kick-start their Christmas programme.
The Reds have chalked up five wins, two draws and just one defeat from eight games at Anfield, with 15 goals scored and just six conceded, and should have too much for the visitors on Wednesday.
Ominously for Mick McCarthy’s side, star striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard are both expected to start.
Wolves have yet to win on their travels, with seven defeats in eight games and 17 goals conceded, so the way to go could be to snap up the evens on Liverpool to Win To Nil or 5/6 to Keep A Clean Sheet.
Other ways forward are the 5/6 in the Liverpool-Liverpool half-time/full-time market and same price about 3-5 Goals.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Trotters target goal machine

Bolton Wanderers star Ivan KlasnicBolton are 4/1 to be relegated from the Premier League next season but Ivan Klasnic could get them the goals to ensure that this is not the case if he re-signs from Nantes.

The Croatian impressed while on loan with the Trotters last season and managed to chip in with eight goals despite struggling with injury.

Klasnic has an eye for goal and Wanderers boss Owen Coyle would love to get him back on board if a deal can be hammered out with Nantes and the player.

The French club are happy to let him leave on another season-long loan deal but want Bolton to pay his wages, which are said to be as high as £60,000 a week.

Bolton want Nantes to foot some of the bill and unless a compromise can be reached, the deal will not happen.

“I have said all along that if we can get something sorted financially with Ivan, then I would love to have him back at the football club,” Coyle revealed.

“But finance does play a part – and without getting into the bits and pieces, he’s on a fantastic contract at his club. That’s the only thing standing in our way, nothing else.

“I think Ivan is a top class player who will score goals in my team. But if it’s too rich for the football club, it’s too rich.”

Strikers who can score goals in the Premier League are a rare commodity and Coyle has so far struggled to find one at the right price, meaning he has turned his attentions back to Klasnic.

The Croatian has already proven himself and if Coyle is not careful he could lose the player to a Premier League rival. Most clubs are in the hunt for a new striker with Blackburn, Birmingham and Newcastle in particular all keen to strengthen.

Coyle wants to move Bolton on to the next level and a top 10 finish (10/3) is not out of the question if he can get the right striker on board, and Klasnic could be that man.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.