Mid-Table Preston North End look to end a run of six Championship matches without a win as they take on second-from-bottom Bolton Wanderers, who have turned their form around in recent weeks. Preston suffered just one defeat from their opening twelve league matches, but have now lost their last four and have slipped to fourteenth place in the table. They have conceded eleven goals in those four defeats, conceding three against Wolves, Brentford, and Ipswich. On top of that, they have failed to score in their last two. At home, they have failed to win in four and have just one victory in six. It’s worrying form for a team who looked to maybe have an outside chance of pushing for a play-off place. Recent League Form – LLLLDD.
The Championship – Deepdale, Lancashire – Friday 18th November 2017 – 18:45 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 13/5 at PaddyPower |
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Preston North End
Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers
Bolton were looking doomed for the drop after a terrible start to the season that saw them lose nine and pick up just two points from eleven matches. Up to the end of September, they had failed to score in seven consecutive league games and had lost eight on the bounce. A surprise 2-1 victory at home to Sheffield Wednesday in October was their first win of the season and it has sparked somewhat of a revival. Since that victory, they have won one and drawn three of four matches. That form has lifted them off the bottom of the table and they now sit just two points adrift of the safety positions. Recent League Form – WDDDWL.
Head to Head
These two teams, with rich histories, first met in a league encounter back in December 1905. Between that match and the last in July last year, they have met a total of 64 times. Preston hold a slight advantage, with 23 victories, Bolton have won 20, and 21 have been draws. That most recent meeting, in July 2016, was a friendly match which ended goalless. The last league meeting was in March 2016, with Preston netting an 86th minute goal to give them a 2-1 win. That was their first victory since 1959, and ended a seven match winless run against Bolton. Since 200, the two have met just five times in competitive matches. Bolton have won three, Preston one, and the other was a draw. Both teams have scored in this fixture just once in the last six meetings.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Despite what the form table says, Preston have been made the betting favourites to pick up the victory here. Sky Bet have the home side priced at 17/20, with Bolton at odds of 10/3. The draw looks an extremely tempting 5/2 and is the outcome we expect. Preston are the better side, on paper, so it’s difficult to predict they will lose this match. However, with the home side struggling for form and Bolton sharing the points in three of their last four league games, the draw looks the best bet here.
Two of the last three meetings have ended goalless, and the same score is a possibility here. The odds on a 0-0 draw are 9/1. In saying that, Bolton have kept just one clean sheet in the league all season and Preston have failed to shut out the opposition in each of their last seven. So, there’s more chance of the result being a score draw. The Correct Score Group Betting market at Sky Bet offers odds of 7/2 for the match to finish either 1-1, 2-2, or 3-3. If you believe both sides will again fail to keep a clean sheet, Both Teams to Score is priced at 5/6. BTTS and Draw is priced at 7/2.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip here is a draw in the match result market, priced at 13/5 with PaddyPower.