Andy's Sunday tips - Arsenal to record win
How do you pick yourself up after you've been thrashed 5-0 in the most important match of your season? That's the issue that Owen Coyle now has to deal with. The FA Cup semi-final was meant to be a dream occasion in Bolton's recent history but it ended up being a nightmare.
It's easier said than done of course but he and the players need to try and put that defeat behind them and just focus on finishing as well as they can in the league. There are points at stake and there's pride. There's also Daniel Sturridge of course, who was cup-tied for Sunday's match and has been a huge player for the Trotters since he arrived on loan from Chelsea.
Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic and Johan Elmander are all solid, honest players with great strength and good aerial ability but Sturridge is a different animal to them and offers that priceless commodity that is pace. His return will give the team a big boost but will it be enough to get them back to winning ways?
I'm not so sure. Arsenal have been sloppy in their last two matches in that they've thrown away leads and had it been six points from those matches rather than two, the league table would be looking very different indeed, after Manchester United dropped points at Newcastle.
The frustration is showing on Arsene Wenger's face and you could tell that even at 3-1 up on Wednesday, he didn't look calm or settled in the dug-out. He's gone on record saying that even if they 'just' finished second every season that would represent success, given their financial resources.
That may keep the money men happy, Arsene, but it won't keep the fans content. I have a lot of faith in the Arsenal boss but trophies are the name of the game and he knows that better than most.
The Gunners may have failed to hang on to leads against Liverpool and Spurs but there was an element of bad luck on both occasions, not to mention the fact that both Spurs and Liverpool are going through a decent run of form at the moment.
If Bolton were to fall behind, I don't think they'd manage to get back in the game but I actually think this match may pan out in a very different way. I can imagine Bolton scoring first and Arsenal fighting back and winning the match from a losing position, so that's how I'm going to approach the betting.
Recommended Bets:
Back Arsenal to win at [1.79]
Back Arsenal to win 3-1 at [16.0]
Back the half-time draw/full-time Arsenal win at [5.4]
Back the half-time Bolton win/full-time Arsenal win at [26.0]
Andy Gray is on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 23 Apr 2011
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