Prediction: Bolton vs Liverpool

30th October 2010

Bolton will be looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run when they play host to Liverpool, with the Trotters full of confidence after bringing one point from JJB. Having finally recorded a league win, the Reds aim to continue in the same manner as they hope to improve their precarious league position.

I have to admit I never liked Bolton’s long-ball tactics and result-oriented style of play deployed by Sammy Lee and especially Gary Megson, but I am, however, impressed by the way the Trotters are playing under Owen Coyle. It is not easy for a team fighting to escape relegation race to play good football, but Bolton have gone a long way during the last couple of months and have been rewarded for their efforts with pretty good results. The Trotters sit in the top part of the table following their four-match unbeaten run and they can definitely take heart from their recent performances. With Johan Elmander playing his best football in Bolton shirt and Kevin Davies doing what he knows best, Liverpool defenders will have their work cut out for them, especially as they will also have to be wary of one of the best wing partnerships in England. Owen Coyle is set to field an unchanged side from the Wigan game, as he looks to inflict more misery on Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool.

Things are clearly not going well for Liverpool this season and even a blind man can see it. It is little wonder that players like Torres and Reina are becoming unsettled at Anfield as they had arrived to the club hoping to fight for trophies and they are now needed to steer away the Reds from the relegation zone. The narrow win over Blackburn served as a minor boost for everyone at the club, but the Reds still face a difficult time in trying to climb the Premiership standings as there are still more negative signs than the positive ones. Having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five Premiership outings, Roy Hodgson’s men are unlikely to end the barren run against a very good Bolton side, so they’ll need to score a goal or two if they want to get even one point from Reebok Stadium. Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson are close to making a full recovery but are unlikely to feature in this clash, whereas Danny Agger remains a long-term absentee.

Conclusion

Bolton may not be the favourites to win this one, but there is nothing to suggest Liverpool are closer to victory, so I can definitely see the teams sharing spoils at Reebok Stadium. While playing really well at the moment, the Trotters are still behind Liverpool in terms of quality, and they face a tough task against revived Reds. All things considered, both sides could settle for one point at Reebok.

Verdict: Draw (X)

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler