Bolton and Stoke a win away from Europe
The moment Manchester United ([2.22]) fought past Arsenal into the FA Cup semi-finals, you sensed that the Red Devils and Manchester City's ([3.4]) paths were destined to meet at Wembley, however perhaps equally significant was Bolton drawing Stoke in the other final-four encounter.
For while the Manchester derby will grab the headlines, it was a dream draw for the two outsiders left in this year's competition as not only will one reach the FA Cup Final, the winners will participate in next season's Europa League, barring an improbable Manchester City collapse in the Premier League.
Bolton have to be fancied having enjoyed the better campaign to date and knocked three top-flight clubs out on their travels, while their big-match record has been slightly superior to Stoke's, holding Manchester United and beating Tottenham at home in the league. They are [7.0] to go all the way.
It has been suggested that Stoke's style of football won't be suited to the wider Wembley pitch and they are unsurprisingly the [8.6] long shots of all four survivors to lift the trophy for the first time.
The sides achieved a win apiece in their league collisions, triumphing in front of their fans only to disappoint on their travels, so the most vocal support could have an impact in the capital next month, and Bolton took an unusually large following with them to Birmingham on Saturday.
Also counting in Owen Coyle's team's favour is the Potters dismal FA Cup semi-final record. They have reached this stage on three occasions before without ever progressing, while Bolton boast a far healthier tally of seven wins in 13 with a place in the final at stake.
Which club do you expect to oppose one of Manchester's finest in May? Share your FA Cup Final predictions, and tell us who you'd back, below...
Published: 14 Mar 2011
Alex (March 14, 2011 10:02 AM) said:
with Stoke/Bolton and Birmingham on Europe next season,we're gonna have the laugh of our time!!i am a Man Utd fan but i hope Liverpool play in Europe next season..teams like Stoke,Bolton,Birmingham will be before the knockout stages!!MUFC 4 EVER
Alan Maile (March 14, 2011 10:15 AM) said:
I can't wait for the chance to see Bolton v Stoke at Wembley. The main reason is that I can't afford the wrestling channel on Sky so this will do instead.
I assume that Tony Pulis thinks that he is a great role model showing his foul mouth off to every viewer whenever a poor decision goes against him. Perhaps he should have a look at his own player dragging a West ham player out of the wall when the winning goal was scored. The worst decision of the game also went in his favour when diver Etherington was not touched for their penalty. He preferred to criticise the referee for West Ham's handball when it was impossible for the ref to see what had happened from the other half of the pitch. Come on Bolton.
bert (March 14, 2011 10:17 AM) said:
Alex very funny a real glory hunter going back sleep now people like you must be born boring perhaps i never woke up mufc 4 ever hahahahaha night night Alex
Chris Davies (March 14, 2011 10:31 AM) said:
If I remember from last time, Bolton got through the group stages, then beat athletico madrid in the first knockout round before bowing out to Sporting Lisbon. Hardly the laughing stock after Everton's efforts this season.
Betfair Football (March 14, 2011 11:36 AM) said:
You're quite right Chris. They held Bayern Munich too in that campaign, and only went out after Gary Megson fielded a weakened team to focus on Premier League survival - a decision that supposedly was a major factor in many Bolton fans' dislike of him.
Everton weren't in Europe this season though.
Without intending a slight on Aston Villa, we would prefer to see a team for whom being in the Europa League really means something qualify than watch the side that finish 6th/7th in the Premier League act like they can't get eliminated quick enough.