Bolton - Nottingham Forest Betting Preview: Good price on a win for O'Driscoll's men and expect goals

Aug 24, 2012 5:26:00 PM

Owen Coyle's Trotters are looking for their second win of the week at the Reebok Stadium but Adam Bate thinks they could be beaten by Forest in an entertaining game on Friday

Bolton Wanderers began the season as the bookmakers’ favourite to win promotion back to the Premier League and that is understandable given that they were only relegated on the final day.

But Owen Coyle’s men began this campaign with a dismal 2-0 defeat to the manager’s former club Burnley on and will need to adapt quickly to life in the Championship.

There were more encouraging signs at home to Derby on Tuesday when late goals from Kevin Davies and Chris Eagles secured their first points of the new season at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton are 21/20 (2.05) favourites with Panbet to follow that result up with another win at home to Nottingham Forest on Friday night.

But the Reds, now backed by the Al Hasawi family, should prove a tougher test given that they have made an unbeaten start under new coach Sean O’Driscoll.

After beating Bristol City on the opening weekend, Forest were just moments away from making it two wins from two before Dan Harding needlessly conceded a penalty to gift Huddersfield a point.

Assuming that doesn’t affect the team’s confidence too much, Nottingham Forest look a chunky price at 61/20 (4.05) to win here, with the draw available at 49/20 (3.45) with Panbet.

Indeed, that 61/20 (4.05) with Panbet is an industry-best price, and the value bet in this one, as you’d really expect the visitors to win this contest at least one time in four – the gulf is not so big.

A safer pick would be to go with the Reds in the double-chance market at 21/25 (1.84) but the value comes from the win market here.

For the pick of the bets, Panbet have another industry-best price on offer for over 2.5 goals. That’s an odds-against price as neither of these teams paid out on that market in either of their first two games.

But with the firepower these teams have at their disposal and tired legs likely to be a factor as the players face their third game inside a week, it seems likely there will be plenty of chances in this one.

Back over 2.5 goals at a very good price of 5/4 (2.25) with Panbet – other bookies are going odds-on for this one.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 (2.25) with Panbet

Nottingham Forest to win at 61/20 (4.05) with Panbet

Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

Follow GoalBetting on

Inside Goal.Com

The Dossier: Stop Martinez, stop Bayern
With the Mario Gotze missing through injury, Marco Reus will be charged with the task of stopping Javi Martinez from dictating proceedings in the middle of the park
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.