Roker Riches: Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers (A) Betting Preview

Alas, no winner last week in Roker Riches. In fact, we couldn't really have been much more wrong with our predictions for us that things might actually go well for Sunderland. You'd think I'd have learned by now not to be so stupid having traipsed across this fair land following the lads for 20-odd years now.

Never the less, we're here to try and win you some money, and with our terrible run, lack of any fit players or indeed ideas, please check your heart at the door, and follow your head.

This weeks Roker Riches might not make for the prettiest of reading, but it sure as hell might win you some money...

Bolton sit rather pretty in the table, right up there in 8th competing for the 7th position with last weeks opposition Fulham amongst others. Ah remember when we used to be that high up the league? Halcyon days.

I digress though... yes it's plain for all to see, Bolton are considerably better than us, and I really can't see us getting anything from the game sadly. Like I said, this is a preview for the head over the heart.

Bolton have a good home record. Only two defeats in seventeen at home, and their ten wins at home is only bettered by the top five. Need I remind anyone of our away record? 16 games, 3 wins and only 15 goals scored.

Bolton find themselves with a new found reputation for playing nice decent attacking football under Owen Coyle, but I can see this being an aerial battle. Bolton aren't too hot on defending set pieces, not that we're particularly good at taking them mind, but it's about time we did.

I think as far as the betting goes, it rests on one of two men... Hello to Michael Turner & John Mensah.

Turner or Mensah could get destroyed by Kevin Davies at the weekend. Good Lord I pray he doesn't, but odds of him scoring the opener are a handy 5/1. Of course all this said, you know one of them's gonna have a blinder and get himself on the score-sheet, which can be had at 10/1 any time for Turner and 16/1 for Mensah, at any point in the game.

The most optimistic thing in the scores/result market is the draw at 13/2, and even then I'm not all that confident.

Roker Report's Best Bet: Kevin Davies Scores First, Bolton win 2-0 @ 33/1

Sad, but it would appear quite likely. Whatever you're on this weekend, be lucky and lets hope the lads prove me wrong.

All odds courtesy of BetFred.com and BoyleSports.com