Sports Blog 04/02/2015: Match Preview – Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool, Wednesday 4th February 2015

As Manchester United dispelled hopes of another giant-killing last night, Liverpool’s trip to Bolton is the last chance for a scalp in the 4th round of the FA Cup.

The first game ended in a snore draw, as Bolton managed to keep out Liverpool at Anfield. Yet with Liverpool having only lost 2 out of their last 18 games, and free to focus on their last domestic hope of the season after their League Cup exit, Brendan Rodgers’ side will be out for blood at the Macron Stadium tonight. Daniel Sturridge is likely to appear, be it on the bench or the pitch, after his 5 month absence, and the return of one of last 2013/14’s key players might give Liverpool they edge they have lacked at times this season. Also likely to appear is Steven Gerrard, who is preparing for his 700th (!!!) club appearance after being rested for the Reds’ victory over West Ham at the weekend.



Bolton, currently sitting at a limp 14th in the Championship, did well in the first attempt at this draw, and will be looking to their home advantage to overcome the odds. However with Cambridge showing last night that it can be difficult for the smaller side to strike gold twice in a row, Bolton are facing an uphill battle. This is exacerbated by their every growing injury list, which has just added former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, and joint top scorer Darren Pratley, who is out with a torn hamstring. A 4-2 loss a Rotherham and a 2-2 draw against Wolves isn’t a glittering run into tonight’s game, and Neil Lennon’s team is likely to be stretched.

Lennon will be looking to defender Matt Mills to continue his unlikely goal-scoring form, with 5 goals at 25/1 to score first, alongside Craig Davis, also on 5 at 9/1, and seasoned-forward Eidur Gudjohnsen with only 1 goal at 10/1. The returning Sturridge is favourite to score first at 10/3, with Gerrard at 6/1 on 9 goals and Raheem Sterling at 7/2 on 8 goals. Perpetual disappointment Mario Balotelli is at 4/1 on only 2 goals, whilst Rickie Lambert, who turned down a £5 million offer from Aston Villa in the just-closed transfer window, is at 17/4 on 3 goals.

Alongside the Europa League, this is Liverpool’s last chance for some silverware and a next round tie against Crystal Palace is an attractive proposition for the Premier League side. Despite the Wanderers’ spirited performance in the first game, our clients are fancying the Reds at a Liverpool/Bolton (h) Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 1.05-1.25, with a Total Goals quote of 2.7-2.9.