Blackpool V Bolton
Saturday, 14 May 2011 – 12:45 (GMT)
Barclay’s Premier League
Bolton have gone their last eleven away matches in the Premier League without winning, while Blackpool have taken maximum points from only one of their previous ten league encounters at Bloomfield Road – so who on earth will come out on top when the two meet on Saturday? Almost every piece of background data would suggest neither.
There have been some memorable encounters in the Barclay’s Premier League this season, one of which was the reverse meeting at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium. Both teams threw caution to the wind and spent the entire 90 minutes peppering each other’s goals. The end product was a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw. I reckon we could be in for more of the same at Bloomfield Road, when the two renew acquaintances at the weekend.
Although there is very little at stake for Bolton, whose name was never mentioned alongside the dreaded word ‘relegation’, the Trotters won’t want to end a satisfactory campaign which, had they qualified for the final of the FA Cup – losing 5-0 in the semi-final to Stoke – would have been a season to remember, on a sour note. Another reverse on Saturday and it’ll be their fourth on the spin, following in the wake of defeats to Fulham (3-0), Blackburn (1-0) and Sunderland (1-2).
Bolton manager Owen Coyle would appear to have a job on his hands, though. Not since the middle of November have the Trotters took maximum points from an away fixture, excluding the FA Cup, losing a jaw-dropping ten of their last eleven road encounters. During which, just four goals were scored.
It is somewhat bizarre that Blackpool have registered fewer points at home than any other team (17), as I’ve watched them throughout the season at Bloomfield Road and they invariably create a wealth of goalscoring opportunities. The support they receive from the locals is also fantastic. The Seasiders really are an enigma at home.
But it’s a must-win game for the Tangerines, as have pretty much their preceding nine league fixtures, yet they only took a grand total of four points from a possible 27. A point off safety they may be but with just two games to go and a trip to Manchester United on the final day, not only is time against them but so is their schedule. Nobody expects them to take anything from next week’s scurvy to Old Trafford, so it’s all or nothing this weekend at home to Bolton. The one piece of solace is that Ian Holloway couldn’t of wished for a more generous final fixture at Bloomfield Road, against the Premier League’s poorest travellers for the past six months.
I’d fancy most teams chances against Bolton at home, but Blackpool are a different kettle of fish. Their all-out attacking ways have been found out in the second part of the term. Opposing managers have wised up, defenders know exactly what to expect, as do attackers who know full well that they’ll have acres of space to run into up against the leakiest defence in the top-flight in Blackpool (71), who concede two-goals-per-game on average.
Their record on the road is unquestionably abysmal but Bolton will arrive in Blackpool under no strain or pressure whatsoever and should be able to play their football with an element of freedom. While this hasn’t paid dividends in recent games, they should fare better on Saturday against an opponent who will be riddled with nerves, who can’t defend and have even stopped scoring – and what are Blackpool without their goalscoring prowess? To put it bluntly, relegation fodder.
Betting Selection(s):
LAY Blackpool @ 2.18 Betfair
Bolton Wanderers to WIN @ 3.40 Bet365
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Pointers
– With Manchester United at Old Trafford to come on the final day, Blackpool – 18th and one point off safety – can ill-afford to drop a single point from this weekend’s fixture.
– Blackpool are without a win in nine and have won only one of their last ten matches at Bloomfield Road.
– Bolton have lost ten and won none of their last eleven away league games, scoring just four goals in that dismal sequence.
– The Trotters would go some way to cementing a top-ten finish with victory at Bloomfield Road, with Bolton currently 9th on 46-points.
