The Reebok Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool in the past few seasons. The Reds might have managed a 3-1 victory there last season, but the previous four encounters have yielded two draws and two defeats. Therefore, can they be trusted at 4/6 (totesport) to win Saturday’s televised match?
Although Rafael Benitez’s men managed an impressive 1-0 win at Chelsea in October, there have been a few wobbles on the road, most notably at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago where they lost 2-1. It also took them most of the game to break the deadlock at Sunderland, while a goalless draw at Villa Park suggests that their away form is still open to question. They’ll also be facing a rejuvenated Wanderers team, fresh from successive victories against Manchester City and Hull.
Bolton are 11/2 (Boylesports) to repeat their victories in 06/07 and 04/05, where they won 2-0 and 1-0 respectively. If they are to triumph, the above scorelines are by far the likeliest outcomes, with Gary Megson’s men going for their third successive clean sheet in the league. Betfair are currently offering 16/1 that the home side win by a solitary goal, while it’s a massive 40/1 (Boylesports) that they double their margin of victory.
Nevertheless, this could be the match where Fernando Torres announces that he is well and truly back to his best after injury. The Spaniard is likely to start his first league match in over a month; the last game he started was at Eastlands where the striker bagged a brace. The 24-year-old is 4/1 (Betfred) to open the scoring in this one, and even money (Stan James) to score at any time. Team-mate Robbie Keane opened his league account for the Reds last Saturday, and he’s 11/2 (Paddy Power) to be the first name on the scoresheet, while Matthew Taylor (20/1 bet365) perhaps rates as the Trotters’ best hope of grabbing a goal.
One thing’s for sure, this won’t be an easy game for Liverpool, although a stubborn defence can help them to a tightly-fought victory. Paddy Power offer 11/8 that the Reds win to nil, with Sporting Bet offering 6/1 that the visitors win by a 2-0 scoreline.