Bolton v Liverpool Preview

Gerrard return could spell trouble for Bolton

Bolton v Liverpool Preview:

Premier League: Saturday, 21 January 2012 5:30pm

Author: Thomas Rooney 18/01/2012

Bolton host Liverpool this weekend looking for a crucial home win as they continue to fight for their lives at the bottom of the Premier League. Kenny Dalglish’s men meanwhile need the points to avoid falling further adrift of the top four.

Referring to Bolton to begin with, it is fair to say that their home form this season has been nothing short of disastrous and makes very poor reading. Of nine league games at the Reebok Stadium this season, they have lost eight, drawn one and won one.

If the old adage of ‘your home form will keep you up’ is to be applied, Owen Coyle’s men seem doomed at this stage. However, occasional away wins – at Everton and Blackburn most recently – mean that they do have the chance to turn it around.

In what is set to be an extremely tense relegation battle, they are only a point away from safety and will back their chances of going on a decent enough run to get themselves out of it.

Improving their home form would help massively of course and perhaps victory over a big team like Liverpool can act as a steady platform for a more positive few months in front of their home supporters.

As for the away side, well they too have had their problems at home this year. Quite simply, they have drawn too many times at Anfield – six of their last eight home games in fact – and this is why they are five points adrift of the Champions League places at the moment.

The 0-0 home draw with Stoke City last time out was extremely frustrating too. Dirk Kuyt was the only recognised forward on the pitch and even he is known to play in a slightly deeper role in recent seasons.

There is no doubt that Liverpool are missing the suspended Luis Suarez, but they still have enough talent in their squad to go into games with an attacking mindset. Regardless of the fact that Stoke are doing well, it really should be a game that Liverpool are winning.

The same applies for this weekend’s trip to the Reebok Stadium. Liverpool, led by the fit again Steven Gerrard, need to go for the win from the very first whistle and show a fragile Bolton team what they are made of.

They have only scored ten goals in as many Premier League away games this year though – with four defeats on the road too – so perhaps three points, regardless of how they are achieved, is the main thing.

It just seems obvious that if Liverpool exploit their vast attacking options they will have far too much for Bolton. With this in mind, a 3-1 away win is the prediction for this Saturday evening kick-off.

Match bet: Liverpool @ 4/6 with Ladbrokes - Ł50 free bet

Correct score prediction: Bolton 1:3 Liverpool @ 33/2 with Betfair