Bolton v QPR Tip

The first of this weekend’s two huge relegation ‘six-pointers’ takes place at the Reebok Stadium in front of the TV cameras on Saturday lunchtime. Bolton are a best price of 6/4 (WilliamHill) to claim the victory that will lift them above their visitors QPR, and that looks the likeliest outcome on balance.

In terms of form, these sides look pretty much as bad as each other. Both clubs are winless in five; the Trotters have lost four in a row to QPR’s three on the bounce. But a closer look at the fixtures suggests that the visitors have had the more disastrous recent results. February looked like a great opportunity for the Hoops to pick up vital points, but they lost at home to Wolves and Fulham and away to Blackburn.

In contrast, Owen Coyle wouldn’t have expected to get any joy out of the last two outings - trips to the Etihad and Stamford Bridge. The only really bad recent setback was the loss to Wigan. But if Bolton look back to the run of games before that at the Reebok, then there is plenty to be encouraged by. They drew 0-0 with Arsenal, and that followed victories over Swansea and Liverpool.

The return of Kevin Davies for this clash could be a significant lift for the hosts. The former England striker has a wealth of experience and is exactly the sort of character you want with you down in the trenches. Bolton must also take confidence from their 4-0 success at Loftus Road on the opening day of the season. Along with Wolves, Coyle’s side have taken the most points from games against other sides in the bottom five this season.

In a game of small margins, these little edges should see Bolton to three points on Saturday.