Prediction: Bolton vs Stoke

15th October 2010

Despite sitting in the mid table, neither Bolton nor Stoke can be too relaxed when facing possible relegation rivals. Both sided are exceeding expectations so far which should guarantee us a good game at Reebok Stadium, with both sides looking to add more points to their tally.

Bolton fans must be over themselves with joy as they can finally watch their side play real football instead of that what Sammy Lee and Gary Megson thought football was. Owen Coyle have managed to turn one defence-minded side into a team that now work both ways and the one that is extremely dangerous up front, something that was never a quality of Trotters. With revitalized Johan Elmander and the 33-year-old England debutant Kevin Davies leading the line, Bolton look like a decent attacking side, especially with Chung-Yong Lee and Martin Petrov providing excellent support on the wings. The new style of play has indeed seen the Trotters concede more goals than they are used to but that cannot change the fact they now look much stronger than last term. Two points won against Manchester United and West Brom will give them something to build on and Owen Coyle’s side are expected to return to winning ways against Stoke. Kevin Davies should be fit to play after shaking off a knock he picked up in his first ever game for England, which means the boss is set to field an unchanged line-up from the WBA game.

Stoke are enjoying a remarkable start to the season despite losing their opening three Premiership games. Tony Pulis famous half-time talk in the Aston Villa game proved crucial for team’s uptrend in fortunes, having seen the Potters win four of their next five games in all competitions. With absolutely no stars on the team sheet, Tony Pulis has got to be considered a real miracle worker as I really can’t see too many managers capable of achieving such results with a side like Stoke. However, something that not even Pulis himself could sort out is team’s dreary away record that rarely see them pick up points from the travels, with the away win over Newcastle simply an exception to the rule. Stoke are definitely more than capable of matching Bolton’s physical approach, but they haven’t got a medicine for Trotters’ attackers and that could prove crucial in this match. Apart from Mamady Sidibe, the visitors have absolutely no absentees.

Conclusion

With Owen Coyle finding a real balance in the side, Bolton are playing pretty well this term and their performances are even better than the results. Stoke have also been impressive lately but they tend to struggle away from Britannia and I cannot see them stopping a very good Bolton side.

Verdict: Home win Bolton (1)

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler