Bolton vs Wigan

9/12- A clash at the bottom of the table takes place as a struggling Bolton take on an even more struggling Wigan. Bolton have hit good form in the European circuit but back at home they are just a place above the relegation zone. Bolton had a huge embarrassing defeat against Liverpool in a away tie last week when the ended with a score line of 4-0 against them. But in contrast they won at Red Star Belgrade in their UEFA cup match the same way they humbled Manchester United at home. Wigan on the other hand have just a point of 8 away games this season, with no away wins to their credit and this one at Bolton looks to be no different. Their last week’s home draw against a strong Manchester City though was creditable it cannot take them anywhere on the points table.

 

Bolton have an experienced and seasoned striker in form of Anelka and this is something that can work in their favour and a win at home can catapult the home side towards the top half of the table and away from the relegation zone for the time being. Also this would be appropriate preparation for their away tie against Manchester City next week as Bolton have not registered any away victory in the 7 away games this season and have been able to collect just 2 points. El Hadji Douf is another Bolton player that will be electrifying on the field and a home crowd always helps as well.

 

The only positive for Wigan seems to be the return of Heskey, the instrumental striker who was away from the team for the past three months due to injury. A defeat here could further add to the wounds of this already struggling side but Wigan would be hoping for something better.

 

Prediction: 1-1

    

The UEFA cup: Bayern vs. Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers fans must have thought they had won the lottery when the draw came out placing their club in the same group as German giants Bayern Munchen. As they travel to the Allianz Arena to see their side tackle an unbeaten Bayern Munchen however, they’d better be praying for a miracle.

New Bolton coach Gary Megson is one of the few ex players who can boast a victory against Bayern in German soil. He was part of the Norwich City squad that won here in the 1993/1994 UEFA cup. That was the only ever home defeat Bayern have suffered to an English team, but I doubt very much whether that feat will be repeated here tonight.

Bayern are top of the Bundesliga and in red hot form. From the twelve league games already played, they have won eight and drawn the rest. Twenty seven goals scored in the league and only four conceded. They did have more problems than predicted in their opening UEFA cup group stage game against R.S. Belgrad, but still came out three – two winners.

Bolton in contrast are having all kinds of problems. Sam Allardyce gave Bolton their first ever taste of European football by qualifying them last season. But since he left to join Newcastle things have taken a definite turn for the worse. The club then brought in Sammy Lee But that arrangement turned out to be a bit of a disaster. Bolton now find themselves second from bottom of the Premier league and in new coach Gary Megson has a mountain to climb if he wants to see Bolton in the UEFA cup next season. To make matters worse he won’t be able to count on a lot of his key players, most notably Nicolas Anelka El-Hadji Diouf.

This game really only has one color. The question isn’t really if Bayern will win but how many goals they will put past a very shaky Bolton defense. My guess is that they will go two up before half time and then cruise the rest of the match, without allowing Bolton to get a sniff of goal.

Prediction: home win (2-0)

« Previous Page