England » Barclays Premier League » Mar 9/10

[Djordje]

Tuesday 9 March 2010	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
	Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers (19:45 GMT)	2.12	3.4	4.1	100.97 %
	Portsmouth v Birmingham City (19:45 GMT)	2.52	3.4	3.2	100.34 %
	Wednesday 10 March 2010	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
	Burnley v Stoke City (19:45 GMT)	2.72	3.4	2.95	100.07 %

[Brettfair]

2.12 for a team that hasn't won in nearly 4 months?

[Aleksandarcox]

Sunderland--Bolton: 0-2 goals (under 2.5) 1.75

Sunderland very ineffective at the moment. They drew last 4 home games. On the other side we have Bolton that didn't score a single goal in 4 of last 6 away games. On Rebook stadium last year it was tight and Sunderland won by one goal. Even 0-0 draw wouldn't surprise me. Boys from stadium of Light have much firepower with Bent, Jones and Benjani, but they simply don't have enough support and Steve Bruce in few last fixtures ordered much more rigid play for his players.
Only doubtful player for Sunderland is midfielder Reid. Maybe Steve Bruce will even be sacked after this game. Maybe everything began with Bolton for him and everything will end. Or maybe not.

[Denman]

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland @ 2.16 (Betfair)
Darren Bent - Anytime goalscorer @ 2.74 (Betfair)
Kenwyne Jones - Anytime goalscorer @ 3.15 (Betfair)

Sunderland are on a shockingly poor run of form and haven't won in the league since November. Although when you look at their home form they've actually only lost two games at the Stadium of Light all season but are currentley on a run of five draws in six games at home.

Bolton performed really well against West Ham at the weekend to secure three vital points. They will have had to travel all the way back from London this weekend and now have to make a further journey upto the north-east for this game. They also had to hold onto a lead in that game after going down to ten-men, this is always energy sapping for any team. Sunderland's decent home record combined with the importance to this game for them and the fact Sunderland will be fresh and Bolton won't be, i'm, happy to take the home win here. Some would call me crazy backing a team that hasn't won in 14 league games, but I think they'll break that duck tommorrow night.

I must admit I'm a keen fan of Sunderland's striker partnership in Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones, on it's day one of the best strikeforces in the league. Which makes it all the more baffling that Sunderland find themself in their current predicament. I'm taking half stakes on both of them to score anytime.

[Jase82]

We have quite a few injuries tonight. Yebda, Boateng and Utaka are all out. Boateng seems to have gone AWOL anyway, so I don't expect him back for us again this season.

Birmingham are up to 3.55 on Betfair. Possible over reaction to Saturday there. I can't really see as many fans turning out tonight, with it being a midweek game, and the fact we certainly are going down.

I see the AH line has shifted to what it should have been on Saturday. Very equal.

Portsmouth v Birmingham City + 0.25 @ 1.99 - Betdaq.

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.67 with Betdaq gets my vote too. I tipped Over 2.5 goals for the game on Saturday, and it should have come off, if that dozy linesman had been doing his job properly . We also had numerous chances to put the game well beyond doubt. On the flip side, I did tip us to win, so it wasn't all doom and gloom

I can see this being another tight Fratton midweek league game. Probable scoreline 0-0, 0-1, or 1-1.

FA Cup hangover, and all that

[Jase82]

I also like under 2.5 goals @ 1.79 - Betfair. Sunderland V Bolton.

Prior to Bolton's win against West Ham, they'd only scored two goals in eight league fixtures home and away.

Sunderland are hideously out of form and desperate for a win. Their last seven home league encounters finished with fewer than two goals, and they've only just scored one goal in their last three home league encounters. All were against lower half sides, so I see this as another tight bottom half tussle at the Stadium of Light. It's true Sunderland don't lose many there, but they don't win many there either.

[blackcrow]

Bolton @ 3.98 Pinnacle
Sunderland have not won in their last 14 games as they are finding it hard to get that edge in their games. Now with some of their midfield out like Richardson, Cattermole, Reid and Henderson, then this will affect the supply into Bent and Jones. This has seen them only score twice in their last 5 games, so Bolton will believe that they have a good chance of winning their 3rd game in a row. Their win over West Ham was pretty good considering their previous away form was poor, as they took advantage of some slack marking to score 2 early goals and hold on for the win. Sunderland have been prone to conceding some goals due to defensive errors and expect the likes of Davies to make the most of any opportunities that come from defenders not keeping their focus and concentration. Bolton won last year 4-1 at Sunderland and they have some form coming into this game to make it 3 in a row.

Birmingham @ 3.43 Pinnacle
With Birmingham having achieved their goal on reaching the 40 point mark complete, they will look to add to this by gaining a European spot for next year. Even though their is a remote chance of doing so, they can play the rest of the season without the added pressure of having to surivive. Portsmouth on the other hand have to win and they will press forward to get the goal which will suit Brum who are more of a counter attacking side. Believe that Brum will sit back and wait for the opportunity as Pompy commit numbers forward.
Portsmouth are without Utaka, Yebda and Kevin-Prince Boateng, while Mokoena is doubtful and Rocha is still suspended. Their depth is further tested and doubt they can beat Birmingham twice in a row in a matter of days. Brum have the likes of Jerome who cna cause this defence some problems while Bowyer has had a very good year in midfield and will relish facing some inexperienced faces opposite him

[kulikTS]

Sunderland isn't in good form, but I think they have a chance for victory. I count that "Black Cats" will be very motivated and they will want to win at all price. I think that this team has potential and under normal circumstances, to defeat a rival. Bent, Jones and Benjami in up front, schould guarantee some goals...Bolton is typical hometeam, they are poor in travel. Maybe this is stupid, but I think that after last away win in London, they will not gain points today (they are not a teme to stipple series in away). So HW 7/10 @2.1 in Bet365 IMO.

[Spooner]

Sunderland v Bolton - Sunderland @ 2.10 365

I attended the West Ham v Bolton game on Saturday and I have to say I wasn't impressed with Bolton one little bit, two very sloppy goals given to them in the first 15 minutes. West Ham's defending was poor, to much space given to Lee and he had time to pick out Davies. All you need to do against Bolton is not allow the South Korean any space and more importantly make sure you don't let Davies run the show, he'll hold up the ball all day for Bolton but if you're also giving him passes to pick ie to much space than you'll get punished, they didn't threaten when West Ham got their act together, bar Davies hitting the bar near the end when the hosts were chasing the game. Bolton still nearly managed to throw the game away even though West Ham were poor and their fans were saying its the worst they've played all season. Sunderland are a team in a rut and maybe not ideal to take them to win at just over evens but if they are going to pick up a victory, which they need to, this looks perfect. They have a few worries in midfield with a few players missing but a good chance for players to prove their worth. They've had a long rest for this game, not featuring in action at the weekend so should be nice and fresh, I'm sure this match would of been on the players mind for a while. There was nothing wrong with the 0-0 draw v Fulham given Fulham's current record. I think they'll get their first win in fifteen games.

[Marcus1874]

As has already been said, the games tonight are very, very tight and could easily go either way. That being the case, I think 2 draws @ 10.24 with WillHill looks very promising to me, so I'll be backing that.

4 draws in the last 5 games for Sunderland....coupled with Boltons poor away record lead me to the draw.

Birmingham aren't the same team away from home, and so I can't see them troubling Pompey much, but with 2 draws in their last 4 home games, I can't see Portsmouth grabbing a winner either.

[garyfinny]

I suspect that Bolton's good performance against West Ham is more a result of a bit of Owen Coyle rubbing off on the team. Certainly I think they are a little value tonight.

As we all know, Sunderland are struggling a lot at the moment and on current form they right down there with the worst of them. Their home record is quite respectable: 5-6-2, but these wins came at the start of the season when they were flying, no home win in the League since November now.

They were also scoring for fun during that period, but now perhaps people have worked out Bent and Jones. In recent games really poor away sides like Stoke, Fulham, Wigan, and Portsmouth have all taken points here, suggesting to me that Sunderland might struggle to break down a team which has come to set their stall, and I would expect Bolton to fall into this category.

Low stakes on +0.5 Bolton @ 1.83 (Betfair)

[dak]

Sunderland – Bolton: Draw @ 3.40 (Betfair) 10/10


Both teams are in the bottom half of the table and certainly have an eye to the relegation line. There isn't a great deal of difference between these teams, I think. I believe both teams will be especially since not losing is probably a priority. Both teams will want at least a point from this match. Sunderland are tough to defeat at home, but their 5-6-2 home record indicates that they draw 46% of their home matches. Furthermore, in their last 6 matches Sunderland has a 0-4-2 record which also indicates a propensity for draws. Bolton's away record is weakish (3-3-8) and their recent form is 2-2-2 including an away win in the last match against West Ham which may give the visitors some confidence.. I think this matchup is similar in dynamics to the recent Wigan – Bolton match which ended in a 0-0 draw. Overall, the draw has a good chance here.

[bookies worst enemy]

I fancy both Prem games to go under 2.5, Sunderland have had trouble hitting the back of the net where as Boltin don't score much away from home. Pompey and Brum played in the cup on the weekend and that had unders written all over it and i can see the same happening again, so i'm gonna be brave enough and stick these two in a doubles

Under 2.5 goals Doubles
Sunderland V Bolton 4/6
Portsmouth V Birmingham 8/13

[Yak]

I rarely come onto this part of the forum, I'm usually trying (and failing) to use my non-league knowledge to make a profit, so I'm currently suffering a nose bleed in the Premiership thread!

Before you ask for "reasoning", there is none, I dreamt this last night. A few years ago I dreamt that Simon Weatherstone would score for Stevenage against Barnet when the game was live on Sky, he did (I backed it at 18's) and have been waiting for a dream of this ilk ever since (I jest). This time I had the most random dream that I was at the Stadium of Light watching Sunderland vs Bolton, and Bolton won 3-1. I've had a tenner on that scoreline @ 40/1, just for a laugh.

I apologise in clogging up this thread with this quite ridiculous post, but in the very slim chance that this happens, I want proof!

[Aleksandarcox]

Originally Posted by Jase82

I also like under 2.5 goals @ 1.79 - Betfair. Sunderland V Bolton.

Prior to Bolton's win against West Ham, they'd only scored two goals in eight league fixtures home and away.

Sunderland are hideously out of form and desperate for a win. Their last seven home league encounters finished with fewer than two goals, and they've only just scored one goal in their last three home league encounters. All were against lower half sides, so I see this as another tight bottom half tussle at the Stadium of Light. It's true Sunderland don't lose many there, but they don't win many there either.

Completely agree with you on this one. 0-2 goals in this game could be the best pick of these two EPL games today. Good luck, man.

[Bearr]

Sunderland v Bolton - draw / 3.40 / Betfair
Almost fair odds for Sunderland here , but still cant back them . Until i see them clicking i will hang on their recent-days-impotence infrount of goalscoring and will go , half , against them . This game is a must win for them , but i remenber when backing them against Stoke and they've displayed an absolute horrible performance that day !... with all the Steve Bruce's premise that that was a very very must win game - allong with the next two with Wigan and Portsmouth . And as far as anyone's counting they are at their 4th draw in the games which are must take 3points with this team...
In the other corner we have Bolton with two good performances , who brought them 6 points and that will be really a good bost for their moral . They look very fresh on the field this days and the confidence must be just on the opposite side of the spectrum than it is at the Stadium of light . I dont really see them going for another win here , but reaching for a draw is very visible... cause will keep their momentum in the fight to escape relegation . A win of Sunderland will make them outpass Bolton , which i dont think is acceptable in any terms for Owen Coyle and his team !

[Jenspm]

Sunderland v Bolton
Right, both teams have 7 unders in their last ten league games, and both of them are still trying to find some sort of form. Bolton have won their last two games, narrowly 1-0 over Wolves and 2-1 over West Ham, but prior to that they had 7 games without a win, the last one coming at home to Burnley, who everyone knows are terrible away. They've only scored six goals in these ten games, 3 of them coming in the last two.

Sunderland's form is dreadful, and they have yet to win in 2010. Their last win, amazingly, was their 1-0 home win over Arsenal in November. They've scored two goals in their last six games, but have only conceded six at the same time.

Head to head, eight of their last ten matches have gone under. Odds show a lot of value, in my opinion.

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.75 - 7pts Betfair


I had a sniff at unders in the Birmingham match, but in the end I decided against it. They've allowed at least two goals in each of their last three away games in the league, and, in addition to that, 2 goals to Pompey this week-end in the Cup. It seems a good bet on paper, but I just have a feeling this'll end 2-1 or 1-2. Good luck all!

[Denman]

Originally Posted by Denman

Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland @ 2.16 (Betfair)
Darren Bent - Anytime goalscorer @ 2.74 (Betfair)
Kenwyne Jones - Anytime goalscorer @ 3.15 (Betfair)

Sunderland are on a shockingly poor run of form and haven't won in the league since November. Although when you look at their home form they've actually only lost two games at the Stadium of Light all season but are currentley on a run of five draws in six games at home.

Bolton performed really well against West Ham at the weekend to secure three vital points. They will have had to travel all the way back from London this weekend and now have to make a further journey upto the north-east for this game. They also had to hold onto a lead in that game after going down to ten-men, this is always energy sapping for any team. Sunderland's decent home record combined with the importance to this game for them and the fact Sunderland will be fresh and Bolton won't be, i'm, happy to take the home win here. Some would call me crazy backing a team that hasn't won in 14 league games, but I think they'll break that duck tommorrow night.

I must admit I'm a keen fan of Sunderland's striker partnership in Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones, on it's day one of the best strikeforces in the league. Which makes it all the more baffling that Sunderland find themself in their current predicament. I'm taking half stakes on both of them to score anytime.

Pretty impressed with that, would have been better if I had Bent down for a hat-trick.

[slizorn]

Originally Posted by Denman

Pretty impressed with that, would have been better if I had Bent down for a hat-trick.

Yeah, realli good picks i just couldnt pull myself to bet on those seeing how they have been playin in recent weeks, but nevertheless Gratz

[Jenspm]

Originally Posted by Jenspm

Sunderland v Bolton
Right, both teams have 7 unders in their last ten league games, and both of them are still trying to find some sort of form. Bolton have won their last two games, narrowly 1-0 over Wolves and 2-1 over West Ham, but prior to that they had 7 games without a win, the last one coming at home to Burnley, who everyone knows are terrible away. They've only scored six goals in these ten games, 3 of them coming in the last two.

Sunderland's form is dreadful, and they have yet to win in 2010. Their last win, amazingly, was their 1-0 home win over Arsenal in November. They've scored two goals in their last six games, but have only conceded six at the same time.

Head to head, eight of their last ten matches have gone under. Odds show a lot of value, in my opinion.

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.75 - 7pts Betfair


I had a sniff at unders in the Birmingham match, but in the end I decided against it. They've allowed at least two goals in each of their last three away games in the league, and, in addition to that, 2 goals to Pompey this week-end in the Cup. It seems a good bet on paper, but I just have a feeling this'll end 2-1 or 1-2. Good luck all!

hah, should've bet on correct scores in the Birmingham match, eh?