Derby travel to Bolton on Saturday after picking up their first win of the season in their last game. Bolton haven’t won a game yet and will be desperate to put one on the board, especially at home. Derby are expected to finish in the top half and with a good run they could find themselves challenging for promotion, while Bolton are expected to struggle.
Both teams need a win for different reasons, but Bolton especially could do with winning their first game soon, otherwise this is going to be a long and tough season for them.
Bolton Form
Although Bolton have yet to win a game, they have picked up two points by drawing two of their three games. The key to survival is picking up regular points which they are doing, but they must also find a way to win.
A return home will help them, and after two away points they will head into this one thinking they can get something from the game. This is their toughest assignment yet though, Derby are a strong team, and with many different attacking options they are sure to put pressure on the Bolton defence.
After promotion from League One, this was always going to be a tough season for Bolton. They haven’t got the biggest squad and rely on a handful of key players to get them through. Those players need to perform if they are to have any chance of surviving the Championship.
Derby Form
Derby have started with one win, one draw and one defeat this season. Their loss came against Wolves who are widely tipped to challenge for promotion this season and their draw came away at Sunderland, which may turn out to be a good point if they continue their early form. That means they haven’t played too bad and finally got their first win on the board on Tuesday night when they bet Preston 1-0 at home.
Four points is ok for Derby at this stage, although now is the time to kick on and start picking up more points. This away trip to Bolton gives them the opportunity to do so and they will be disappointed if they don’t pick up three points against a relegation candidate.
I am expecting to see Derby in the top half once the season settles down and picking up three points here will help them achieve that goal.
Team News
Bolton really need to rediscover the goal scoring touch that they had on the opening day when they scored twice against Leeds. Since then they have struggled to create chances and will hope that a return home will help them do that. With Adam La Fondre and Gary Madine in attack, they have players who know how to score in this league and they just need to provide them with the service they need.
Despite just a 1-0 victory against Preston, Derby created a lot of chances and could have been further ahead in the early stages of the game. They need to start taking those chances and will be looking to players like David Nugent, Chris Martin and Andreas Weimann to score goals for them.
If Derby take their chances they could have a good few weeks starting with this game and move up the table, that is all that seems to be missing from their game right now.
Top Betting Tips
Derby have the potential to improve on their current position and I expect to see them move up the table over the coming weeks. This game against a relegation candidate who are yet to win a game gives them an ideal opportunity to pick up another win.
Bolton are struggling to find a win and they need to score more if they are to find one. I can see them struggling this season and being towards the bottom of the table all season long. They have to find a way to improve but with such a small squad that is going to be difficult.
I am going to back Derby to win the game at Bolton and take their winning run up to two games. They are available to back with Ladbrokes at 6/5 and that offers good value for them playing against a team who have started the season looking like they are going to struggle.
I am expecting to see Derby improve their position over the coming weeks, hopefully starting with a win in this game against Bolton.