Premier League betting preview – Bolton
BOLTON
Last season: 14th
FA Cup: Semi-finals
Carling Cup: Third round
Opening three fixtures: QPR (a), Manchester City (h), Liverpool (a)
Transfers in: Darren Pratley (free agent), Nigel Reo-Coker (free agent), Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears (both Burnley, joint £3m), Tuncay (Wolfsburg, loan)
Transfers out: Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan, £4m), Matt Taylor (West Ham, £2.2m, Danny Ward (Huddersfield, £1m), Joey O’Brien (West Ham, free)
Finishing bottom of the league: 25/1
Trotters fans shouldn’t be too worried about ending the 2011/12 season adrift of the rest. But their form at the close of last term will have to be avoided if that is to be the case. Five straight defeats almost dragged them into a relegation battle.
Finishing higher than Stoke City: 17/20
Last season, Bolton started their campaign excellently, losing only two in their opening 15 games – but in the remaining 23 they won just seven and lost an incredible 14. Stoke pipped them on goal difference. The Lancashire side will also hope to gain a psychological advantage from the FA Cup semi-final humbling they inflicted on the Trotters last term.
Odds for relegation: 5/1
As Bolton hero Owen Coyle begins his second full season as manager, he will look to lead out a more consistent side each week, both home and away. The Trotters have eight other sides above them in the relegation prices, which looks about right.
Verdict
If Bolton could equal their form at the Reebok away from home, they would be genuine challengers for the Champions League places. But the travelling points accumulation needs to improve if they are to finish in the top half.
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