BOLTON v MANCHESTER UTD - NO ROON OR SENTIMENT FROM UNITED?
Nineteen miles is all that separates these two historic football clubs but the current gulf in fortunes is huge. Bolton lie 3rd from bottom without a Premiership win in 3 months. United are second in the Premiership on goals scored and are enjoying a 10-match unbeaten run. This alone would suggest a tough game for the home team at the weekend but a look at recent history suggests a whole lot worse.
The stats make frightening reading for Bolton. Sir Alex’s side have won the last 5 meetings home and away. They have not been beaten by Bolton in 9 matches. In 16 Premiership meetings there has been a total amount of 51 goals, United’s dominance is enforced by the fact that have scored 40 of those goals. The most significant stat is that Bolton have never beaten United at home in the Premiership. In fact, they have not won a home League game against the Red Devils since December 1978. Britain has had 5 different Prime Ministers since the home crowd last celebrated a win against United.
The good news for Megson’s boys is that last season’s main tormenter in chief Wayne Rooney is out through an ankle injury. The striker scored 5 of United’s 8 goals against the Trotters last season including a hat trick at the Reebok. The bad news is that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 6 goals in his last 6 Premiership appearances and Carlos Tevez has 3 goals in his last 5 appearances.
It is hard to look past the red hot Red Devils punishing their Lancashire neighbours. They look a strong pick on Premier 10 this weekend Wayne Rooney or not.
Tags: 24/11/07, Bolton, Manchester Utd
