Stoke City vs Bolton Predictions

It was another disappointing evening for Stoke against Rotherham at the weekend. Despite dominating the first half with some great attacking football and a number of chances wasted, they found themselves two goals down after some sloppy defending. Whilst they recovered through goals by Tom Ince and Bojan to salvage a draw, it is not good enough for a team that should be firmly in the top six.

Indeed, the match against Rotherham was the fourth game out of five that Stoke had conceded two or more goals. They had lost consecutive games 3-2 against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup and Blackburn in the league at home. In both games, Stoke went three goals down, giving themselves an almost impossible mountain to climb. It gives the impression this team only wakes up once they have conceded a couple of goals. They show good attacking intent with the quality they have but it seems they have one too many liabilities at the back.

These games have followed on from what has been an awful start to the season for Gary Rowett’s side. They have only won twice in ten league games, against Swansea and Hull at home, whilst have lost to Leeds, Wigan and West Brom. In the losses they have simply looked a class below some of the teams in the league. Even in their draws against Brentford, Preston, and Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke looked weak at times and were lucky to come away with points in the majority of games.

However, regardless of results, Stoke possess some real quality within their ranks. Attackers Saido Berahino and Tom Ince look like they’re finally coming into some form, whilst Benik Afobe has scored a fair few already. With other players like Bojan and Joe Allen, Stoke City will surely start rising up the table soon.

In contrast, Bolton Wanderers have defied expectations this season with their performances and got another win at the weekend at home against an in-form Derby County side. It was an emotional win for the team after defender Stephen Darby was forced to retire after his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease. Midfielder Craig Noone got the winner and celebrated with Darby to cap what was an impressive display from Bolton, suppressing the attacks of Derby effectively. Indeed, Derby did not manage a shot on target until the 88th minute.

This has been symbolic of Bolton’s season thus far, with numerous resolute performances focused on suppressing attacks and taking chances from set-pieces and good wing play. They have used this to devastating effect against teams like West Brom, Birmingham, and Reading and deserve their place in the top-half of the table. With big target-man Josh Magennis in great form and a focal point for Bolton’s attacks, they have been able to secure these great results.

They had been in a lull in the games before the match against Derby, though. Winless in five matches, Bolton had lost to Middlesbrough, as well as Sheffield United and QPR at home, whilst drew against Preston and Ipswich. Although, despite poor performances against Sheffield and QPR, the club still showed their spirit and determination in the other games. They came from two goals down to draw at Preston and played with ten men for 65 minutes at Ipswich to secure two points.

It is testament to the skills of manager Phil Parkinson that he has got this team to play to their strengths and they look well placed to remain away from relegation trouble this season.

However, with Bolton’s poorer away from and Stoke’s recent good goal-scoring form, we think this could go Stoke’s way, just. Bolton will come with a distinct game plan aimed at frustrating the hosts and they could be largely successful, so an “Under 2.5 Goals” seems appropriate. Stoke possess that little more quality, though, to get the win and thus a 2-0 correct score-line could be a winner for what should be a tense match at the bet365 Stadium.