Bolton vs Rochdale Predictions

Bolton play host to Rochdale on Saturday afternoon, as boss Keith Hill looks to get one over on his old club. The Trotters are still searching for their first win of the season, while Dale will be hoping to make it two wins on the bounce after beating Accrington last time out.

It’s been a rough few months for Bolton fans, who thanks to goings on off the field didn’t know if they’d have a club to support until well into the new season. Fortunately, they do, and under the stewardship of the experienced Keith Hill, things are slowly starting to improve. They at least have a playing squad now, which has allowed the Trotters to avoid defeat in three of their last four, something that wasn’t possible before the recent takeover.

Since Hill took over around six weeks ago, Bolton have started to make progress. They’ve become much harder to beat, while they’re now capable of staying in games. Offensively, as they’ve scored just two in five games, there’s been little improvement, though it’s simply a case of one step at a time for a club that was on the verge of extinction less than two months ago.

They’re not as bad off as Bolton, who thanks to a points deduction at the start of the campaign are already destined for relegation, but Hill’s previous club Rochdale certainly haven’t set the league alight this term. Under the management of Brian Barry-Murphy, Saturday’s visitors have played some attractive football and have scored some good goals, but inconsistency has held them back.

On their travels, Rochdale have often delivered the good offensively; they’ve scored two or more in three of their six travelling matches, while they’re averaging 1.5 goals for away from home, which is decent. However, they’ve been too soft at the back, surrendering an average of 2.17 goals. An average of 1.47 expected goals against suggests that they may have been a tad unfortunate to concede as many as they have, though it doesn’t exactly suggest that Dale have prevented their opponents from creating chances.

From a betting point of view, this isn’t among the most appealing games that League 1 has to offer this weekend. Those looking to get involved are pointed towards a home win. The Trotters remain winless, but they’re unbeaten in three home games under Keith Hill, which is pleasing, especially when we consider that they’ve faced three teams that are all currently in the top nine. Having recently held their own against in-form sides such as Blackpool and Oxford, Bolton are backed to get the better of a Rochdale side that has struggled defensively and have lost three away games on the bounce.

‘Correct Score’ players can try a 2-0 win for the hosts, who’ve done a good job of resisting against very useful sides in recent home matches. Bolton have struggled to score goals but a home game against Rochdale, who’ve conceded no less than 11 goals in their last three on the road, may just be the opportunity they need to find their feet in the final third.