Bolton v Everton Tip

The Reebok Stadium has been earmarked for a possible upset with many pundits thinking that Bolton could spring a surprise at best odds of 9/2 (Bet365). But I think this competition means too much to Everton and their class should just about tell in the end. The Premier League team are a best price 29/10 (Ladbrokes) to win by one goal and that’s easy to envisage.

The main reason why I think the Toffees will progress is the strength of line-up they are likely to put out. In the last round at Cheltenham, David Moyes started Baines, Fellaini, Jelavic and pretty much all of his best team - they won 5-1. The manager, the fans and the players all desperately want a trophy. “It’s the best route for us to win something,” Baines observed this week.

But Cheltenham aside, Everton don’t tend to win with much to spare. The last five victories that the Merseysiders have claimed in the top flight have all been by a 2-1 scoreline (17/2 BetVictor). It’s tempting to go with that bet here, but after consecutive 0-0 draws, it seems prudent to broaden our winning options.

Bolton are steady but unspectacular in the Championship lately. Still down in 16th position, Dougie Freedman will need to spark something spectacular to make the play-offs a possibility. Interestingly, the last eight Trotters defeats have all been by a one-goal margin.