Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Bolton v Everton

Both Bolton and Everton have recovered from poor starts to the season with the Trotters having lost just one of their last 5 league games and the Toffees unbeaten in their last four. On paper this looks a relatively even clash with neither side excelling or playing particularly badly. David Moyes’ team will be disappointed with their last two results after drawing at home with both Stoke and Wolves while Gary Megson’s side were unfortunate to lose at Old Trafford last weekend. For me, this has a draw written all over it.

Recent meetings favour Everton as they’ve not lost to Bolton in the last 6 clashes (5 wins). This run includes league doubles in the last two seasons. The Toffeemen are also unbeaten in their last four trips to the Reebok (3 wins). In fact, the Trotters last beat Everton at home back in March 2005. Same Allardyce’s team won 3-2 despite Bruno N’Gotty being sent-off after 45 minutes. If Bolton are going to win this one, they are likely to be relying on striker Kevin Davies for inspiration.

The Trotters’ veteran striker’s aerial prowess is second to none in the Premier League and his 85 flick-on’s this season are more than any other player has managed. He is likely to ruffle a few feathers in Everton’s new-look backline so it will be interesting to see how well Moyes’ team cope. After all, in recent seasons, the Toffees have coped very well as Bolton have not actually scored against them in the last three meetings home and away. In fact, the Trotters have scored just twice in the last six clashes with the Merseysiders.

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Everton have only managed to score a single goal in each of their last three games against Portsmouth, Stoke and Wolves. They are likely to score this weekend too as Bolton remain the only top flight side yet to record a clean-sheet.

Despite Everton’s record against Bolton, I have been impressed with the Trotters performances of late especially against Tottenham and Manchester United. The Toffees may have turned the corner but their recent run of draws look set to continue. I’m backing a low-scoring stalemate on Premier 10 this weekend.

Tags: Alan Hansen, Bolton, Everton, Premier 10, Premier League

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