Bolton Wanderers vs. Liverpool Preview

Premier League basement boys Bolton Wanderers host Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium on January 21 as they try to kick start their fight against potential relegation.

Owen Coyle’s men will be massive underdogs for the fixture despite Liverpool’s own stuttering form and obvious lack of goal-scoring threat.

The Trotters have to start not only drawing games, but winning them - and their home form simply has to improve fast or they will be dumped out of the English top flight in May.

With just one win from ten matches at the Reebok Stadium so far this campaign, it is easy to see why the Wanderers are struggling.

Coyle has quickly developed a healthy reputation for his man management and motivational skills however he has been unable to prevent his side from consistently leaking goals and failing to organise themselves to a decent standard.

Bolton fans have already witnessed an astonishing 24 goals scored against their team at home since August whilst at the other end, their strike-force, spearheaded by the ageing Kevin Davies, has failed to produce the goods and fire enough to keep Bolton competitive.

Against a Liverpool side who have conceded just six goals on the road all season, Bolton seem destined to struggle and a second home success of the campaign does not appear a likely result.

Liverpool themselves will be carrying a lot of issues into the fixture however their away form has been relatively strong and it has been suggested that Kenny Dalglish’s men look generally more comfortable and less pressured away from Anfield.

Sitting a disappointing sixth in the Barclays Premier League table, Liverpool supporters have once again had to accept that a realistic title bid is still some distance away.

The cup competitions are undoubtedly the central focus for Liverpool now however they must also try and find some consistent league form if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

The visitors will hardly require a marked improvement up front if they are to put Bolton to the sword – nevertheless they have to show a great deal more endeavour and quality than they have done at home including in their last match against Stoke City which was their seventh draw at Anfield this season.

This could be a perfect opportunity for the out of form Andy Carroll to break his recent duck and restore some confidence.

The £35 million man has understandably started to frustrate the Kop faithful and has yet to make any inroads towards justifying his mammoth price tag.

Getting on the score sheet at Bolton would merely be a first step on the ladder for Carroll but the Geordie hitman is taken to hit the net and inspire a comfortable away success for the Premier League’s big underachievers.

Liverpool are 4/6 to come out on top, a decent price in itself, however odds of around 3/1 should be available for an away win and anytime goal for Carroll, which makes real appeal considering Bolton’s dismal defence which has ultimately been the catalyst towards their miserable season to date.

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15/01/2012     © Frixo 2024