Bolton v Arsenal Betting Preview
- By Jaymes Monte on April 23, 2011 10:37 GMT
Bolton host Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium this Sunday afternoon hoping to keep their Premier League title hopes alive by picking up all three points.
A midweek draw against north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday meant that the Gunners failed, once again, to capitalise on leaders Manchester United’s slip-up the previous evening. Although Arsene Wenger has vowed that his team will fight until the finish anything less than a win here would surely signal the end of their quest.
“We're on a 15-game unbeaten run, and no-one else has done that,” said the Frenchman following Wednesday evening’s draw.
“Chelsea are now back in the race. Chelsea play Manchester United and Tottenham, but it's down to us. We have to keep our faith and keep battling.”
A visit to Bolton, however, presents a difficult task in itself. The Trotters have lost only twice at home all season and go into this game looking to make amends for their embarrassing 5-0 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend.
Arsenal’s lengthy injury list has begun to ease in recent weeks and the likes of Denilson, Tomas Rosicky and Manuel Almunia could all come back into the fray. Stuart Holden remains a long-term absentee for Wanderers but Daniel Sturridge returns having been ineligible for the FA Cup semi.
The bookmakers have made the Gunners strong 4/6 betting favourites to pick up all three points here, the draw is priced at 11/4 and a home win is 4/1.
Despite Arsenal’s indifferent performances of late Robin van Persie has continued his rich vein of form. The Dutch striker has now scored 19 goals in his last 20 games for club and country and is an 11/10 chance to add to that tally at any point in this game.
Wenger has looked like a man on the edge recently as he looks on in astonishment at his side’s inability to hold onto a lead and close out a game. They may need to win every one of their remaining five games if they are to stand any chance of winning the Premier League title, starting with this tough trip to the Reebok.
