Bolton confirmed their place in League One last week after a disastrous season. It doesn’t get any easier for the Trotters though as they host Middlesbrough. Our Bolton vs Middlesbrough predictions include three betting tips.
Middlesbrough continued their quest for promotion with a last minute victory against Reading on Tuesday and they travel to Bolton on Saturday lunchtime.
Bolton vs Middlesbrough Preview
Bolton
Most people had written Bolton off by October, but they finally slid into the third tier last weekend after a defeat to Derby County. They failed to win away all season, but that was just a fraction of their problems this campaign. I’m not going to go into the off field issues as they’ve been well documented, but it’s been a season to forget and hopefully they can rebuild in League One next season.
Neil Lennon did his best to steady the ship, but it was too big an ask for the former Celtic man and he was sacked with the Trotters treading water at the bottom of the table. His side did show fight, beating Blackburn at home, but four victories out of 41 is simply not good enough. There will be a mass exodus in the summer with the likes of Mark Davies and David Wheater commanding huge wages.
The question over their next manager remains, with Chris Wilder the latest name to be linked. The Northampton boss is from Lancashire and has led the Cobblers to League One. He would be a decent appointment, but after his success at Sixfields, I’m not convinced he’d want to leave.
Bolton have lost 23 times this season, but only six here at the Macron. It hasn’t brought much joy to the beleaguered home fans, but they’ve shown more spirit on home turf.
Get 6/1 for Man United to beat Aston Villa HERE
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough scored a late winner against Reading in midweek. The ball pinged around the penalty area before Adam Forshaw slammed it home to send the Riverside into raptures. It was an important three points and sent Aitor Karanka’s side top. It’s now five wins on the bounce after a poor spell for the Teessiders. But four of those have been at home.
They still possess the best defence in the league and they still haven’t lost a match this season in which Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala have started together in the heart of the defence. Boro still have to play Burnley and Brighton before the end of the campaign so it’s important they win games such as this one. They’ve put themselves in pole position and with Brighton playing on Friday night and Burnley at 3pm, they will not want to slip up here.
They haven’t been entirely reliable on the road, but when you compare the two squads and the spirit in the camp, you’d fancy Middlesbrough to clean up here. Jordan Rhodes hasn’t produced the good since signing for £9m and they’ve been relying on goals from all over the park.
Bolton vs Middlesbrough Team News
Darren Pratley has this week come out and said that Bolton need a whole new squad. There appears to be no major injury concerns this week, so perhaps they will try out a few of the younger players for next season.
Middlesbrough rested a few players in midweek with David Nugent and Gaston Ramirez dropping to the bench, both could easily return here. Emilio Nsue and Adam Forshaw aren’t regular starters, but both did their chances no harm with goals against Reading on Tuesday.
Karanka likes to rotate Nugent and Rhodes, if his policy remains, Nugent will be leading the line. Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson are likely to continue their partnership at the back.
Bolton vs Middlesbrough Predictions
Many will be tempted to back Middlesbrough on the handicap, but Bolton haven’t been beaten by large margins at home and have kept things tight. They are far too short to back on the outright for this weekend’s football tips, but are a better price to win to nil. Bolton are capable of scoring, but Middlesbrough’s defence is exceptional and just 26 goals conceded in 41 games backs that up. My first Bolton vs Middlesbrough prediction is for Middlesbrough to win to nil. It can be backed at 19/20 with Bet Victor.
Get a £25 FREE BET using this link to Bet Victor.
Despite many people expecting Middlesbrough to hit four or five past Bolton, I don’t think it will be that easy. I think it will be settled by one or two goals. My second football prediction for Bolton vs Middlesbrough is for Under 2.5 goals. It can be backed at 11/10 with Betfair.
Open a Betfair account > get a £30 free bet.
Check the starting line-ups before you dip into this market, but David Nugent looks likelier to score than Jordan Rhodes at the moment, so I’m going to back the former Leicester man. My third Bolton vs Middlesbrough betting tip is for David Nugent to score anytime. He is 7/5 with Coral.
Bolton v Middlesbrough Betting Tips
Middlesbrough to win to nil – 19/20 Bet Victor.
Under 2.5 goals – 11/10 Betfair.
David Nugent – Anytime Goalscorer – 7/5 Coral.
Open a Coral account and get a massive 10/1 for Man United and Man City to win this weekend. If they both win you get £50 from a £5 bet, if they don’t win you get a £5 refund. It’s NO LOSE.
Get 10/1 for Man Utd and Man City to win via this link to Coral.
Jack Critchley
Latest posts by Jack Critchley (see all)
- Football Accumulator Tips for Sunday 15th January to win £635 - January 14, 2017
- Football Betting Tips for a Championship Treble on Saturday 14th January at 12/1 - January 12, 2017
- Anytime Goalscorer Tips for Saturday 14th January at Odds of 16/1 - January 12, 2017
- Both Teams to Score Tips for Saturday 14th January to win £204 - January 12, 2017
Follow us