Can Bolton leap into 2nd place with a win over Bury, at 7.45pm on Sky Sports 1?

Despite a 7 week shocker between the end of August and the start of October the Wanderers are still very much in contention for a promotion place this season. Bolton seem to have entered another period of success, winning 3 times on the trot without conceding a goal. Victory at Gigg Lane will see the side match their run at the start of the season, where Bolton won 4 in a row, including important results against fellow promotion-chasers Sheffield United, Bristol Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

Yet sandwiched in between those pockets of good form was a 7 game streak where Bolton failed to pick up a win. And while 3 losses and 4 draws isn’t entirely disastrous, Phil Parkinson and co. may come to regret that September slump at the end of the season if the Wanderers find themselves in scrapping in the play-offs instead of secure with automatic promotion.



Part of the problem during that winless period was Bolton’s lack of distinguished striker. In only 5 of their 14 League One games this season have the club scored more than once, while in 4 matches they failed to find the back of the net at all. Even more frustratingly Conor Wilkinson, who has nabbed 4 goals so far, has done so in a Chesterfield shirt after being shipped out on loan until after Christmas. That leaves Gary Madine, on 3 goals with a Super Mega PGM of 22-27, as their main option up front, supplemented by Zach Clough, who has 2 goals and a spread of 21-25.

Form-wise Bury have had exactly the opposite problem to Bolton. The Shakers picked up just one win in their first 5 games (an opening day victory over Charlton) and have lost their last 4 games in a row. However, in September they won each of the 5 games they played, at the time better than any other side in the league. They’ve also arguably fared better up front. Summer signing James Vaughn has scored 5 times so far, and has a Super Mega PGM of 20-24, while Hallam Hope (at 11-15) and Danny Mayor (at 9-12) both have 3 apiece.

Given the respective directions of each team it looks likely that the visitors will extend their run to 5 games unbeaten, with Spreadex offering a Bolton/Bury (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.1-0.3 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.4-2.6.