Bolton vs Norwich Predictions

Midweek saw a reversal of fortunes for both Bolton and Norwich. The Trotters claimed a much-needed victory in their visit to Birmingham on Tuesday night, a result which helped push them a little closer to safety. Meanwhile, the visitors had their fine form ended away at Preston – losing 3-1. They surrendered top spot in the process, meaning that the second-placed side travel to second-bottom Bolton this week aiming to get their promotion bid back on track. Can they claim three points at the University of Bolton Stadium?

The hosts boosted their survival hopes with a victory, but they remain three points away from safety following Reading’s win. They did manage to end a seven-game streak without a victory, which is a boost to their hopes of stating in the division. It was just their sixth win from 32 matches so far, and the Trotters will be hoping to add to that in this clash. However, they’ve won just three of their 16 matches at home this term, going four league matches without securing a win in front of their own fans.

Norwich had their great run ended on Wednesday, torn apart by Preston. The Canaries are still in the top two, but both they and Leeds are coming under pressure for their automatic promotion spots. That means that the visitors need to respond here, and they’ve been priced up as the clear favourites for this encounter. They should be able to make a statement, given that they still have the league’s best away record. The loss at Preston was just their second of the season in 16 trips, with seven victories.

Norwich have a strong record when it comes to the sides in the lower reaches of the table. They’ve won seven of eight meetings with the bottom seven this term, and we expect them to add to that on Saturday. With four wins in their last six meetings with Bolton, we think the Canaries are worth backing to claim an away win in this one. With Bolton failing to win in 10 of their last 11 home games, we see the promotion hopefuls edging this one.

Part of Norwich’s promotion bid is their flying forward. Teemu Pukki has scored five of Norwich’s last eight Championship goals, including each of their last three. The striker’s first season in the Championship has been excellent, and he’s only one goal shy of top spot in the scoring charts. The Finn will come into this game with plenty of confidence, and we see him causing problems for one of the worst sides in the division. We’re backing Pukki to score any time in this clash, along with the victory for his side.