Premiership - Liverpool v Bolton
I know Liverpool sometimes can turn it on and bang a few goals in like against Porto, Besiktas and Newcastle recently but I dont think Bolton are similar to any of those teams. Liverpool tend to thrive when they are allowed time on the ball and can therefore pass the ball about confidently building up attacks. Thats why Liverpool have recently contested 2 European Cup Finals recently yet havent mounted a serious challenge for the Premiership in years. In the Premiership, Liverpool come up against teams who dont give them time to play and Bolton are probably one of the best teams around for executing these stifling tactics I'm talking about. When Sammy Lee took charge of Bolton at the start of the season, they changed the way they played and subsequently lost 5 of their opening 6 matches. Now Gary Megson has taken over they are unbeaten and last weekend beat Man Utd 1-0. All because he has players back in their preferred positions and playing their usual brand of in your face football. Confidence will have improved massively after that win over the champions and they will fare much better for it at Anfield today. Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt will be missing to suspension today but Anelka, Doiuf and Davies are all gonna cause Liverpool different problems today.
I dont think Bolton will win this game and indeed they will struggle to score but I think they will get stuck in and make a game of it and Megson wont let his troops roll over and crumble.
Bolton's last 9 league matches have finished under 2.5 and that includes playing Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs - all teams which can score goals. Liverpool have only the 12th best home record in the league at the moment and have drawn 4 of their 6 home games, including a 0-0 with Birmingham who got stuck in to them as did Fulham a few weeks ago who only lost to 2 late goals after a spirited performance. I'd personally rate Bolton better than both of those teams and think they will win me this bet.
Good Luck.............































