Bolton v Everton – Sunday Premier League

Probably the game which fly under the radar on Sunday with all the other three games involving teams at the top of the Premier League. This one is the tale of two bottom half of the table dwellers, with Bolton sitting just one place above the drop zone. There really is little to chose between the two teams, including the three points which separate them. Bolton have not won a home match yet, and Everton have only won once away from Goodison, including a recent 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Benfica in the European Super League. Their previous two league matches turned up 1-1 draws for the Toffeemen, both at home.

There will be different faces on show for Everton on Sunday, but it hard to see this as being an exciting goal fest. Everton have really tightened up their defence since their opening day whopping by Arsenal. It seems as if Everton are going to go down, then they really go down in style. Part of the Goodison outfit’s problems this year has been their away form, which has seen them score only two goals, which clearly is not good enough. They will be heartened though, by the fact that Bolton are the only team in the Premier League so far, not to keep a clean sheet. That points to the chance of stealing three valuable points, which could lift them a whopping two places up to tenth.

Bolton have only picked up two points at home out of four matches, and that will be a worrying sign, as teams would often fear going to the Reebok because they knew they would get a hard, physical contest. Perhaps that was more in the days of Sam Allardyce, but now under Gary Megson, Bolton at the moment is a place to go with the hopes of getting points. On the flip side, Bolton really gave Manchester United a run for their money at Old Trafford recently, falling 2-1 to the Champions. But it is their home form which they need to prop up, if they are going to maintain life in the Premier League.

Everton have a long list of injuries which won’t help them at all, as there were a total of 11 players missing from the squad midweek, and they will need all their strength to defend set pieces. Set pieces have been the one bright spark of the Cottager’s season, for it something which has brought most of Bolton’s goals this season. Set pieces, could however, be the home sides downfall, as they have conceded a lot from corner kicks. Bolton too, do not have a good record against the Merseysiders, and have struggled to find the net against them in recent seasons.

Toffee’s boss David Moyes needs to find the right words to get his team re-motivated after the Europa league thrashing. They also have a tough Carling Cup encounter against Tottenham coming up, and this could all add up to a very difficult week if they do not come away from the Reebok with three points. The difference could come down to the sharpness up front. You can expect a tight encounter, and it could be just that one taken chance which will mean winner takes all. Everton could have the edge in that department, with the sharpness of Saha, when he stays fit.

Bolton to win: 7/4 at SkyBet
Draw: 12/5 at William Hill
Everton to win: 7/4 at Bet365

Betting advice: Phew. Flip a coin on this one. It is unlikely that the scoreboard operators at the Reebok are going to have much to do on Sunday. If not a goal less bore draw, then Everton should just have the edge to sneak it, as they have a little more edge up front, and Bolton’s defence is the weaker of the two sides.

Everton Draw No Bet: Evens at Boylesports
Louis Saha Anytime Scorer: 15/8 at Coral
Kevin Davies Anytime Scorer: 5/2 at Paddy Power