Can Bolton Score back-to-back away victories in Premiership action?

Last Saturday, the sports betting market received a necessary nudge when Bolton ended Mbrough’s lucky run, handing the home side their first defeat in five matches. The visiting Wanderers entered the matchup as +325 underdogs, but from the start of the match, it was apparent who would dominate the proceedings. They took the initiative scoring two quick goals – in the seventh and tenth minutes – to take control of a match that sported an appalling Mbrough side striking an inept pose on the pitch, all told. Fiasco.

Now Bolton, who has won three of its last six matches and drawn one, picking up nine points in the process, makes the trek to Sunderland in high spirits; yet, for some reason, they are tipped as the +210 underdogs in the soccer market at BetUS Sportsbook. Though not clear favourites, Sunderland emerges decidedly favoured over Bolton on the money line at +135. Why? Sunderland has gone 2-0-4 in their last six Premiership fixtures, picking up six points. At home, they are 2-1-3 in their last six; losing as recently as last Saturday to West Ham 1:0.

To the odds makers cost, over Bolton, they surely have plumbed the depths making one ask, in typical old English fashion, whether Sunderland knows where the body is buried? Is the money line just out-of-whack or a stroke of genius by the bookies?

Soccer Betting Line:

Sunderland pk -135 +135 2 O -140 U +120 Draw +220

Bolton Wanderers pk +115 +210 2 O -140 U +120 Draw +220

Match Time: 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time Saturday November 29, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Sunderland +135: Sunderland knows defeat in this match will see them fall into the drop zone. Manager Roy Keane and the Black Cats have come under fire, as they have been a huge disappointment to fans and sports bettors. They are only separated by a point from Newcastle United, who are hovering in the danger zone but enjoying an undefeated streak, in their last two matches and looked poised to elevate their standings. Pressure is on Sunderland to mastermind results but the questions is whether they have the ability to deliver on their odds.

Bolton Wanderers +210: Bolton won their second consecutive away match at Mbrough, after beating Hull City ranked sixth in the table. Overall, they are 3-0-3 in their last six away matches so they would appear to have a fifty-fifty chance against Sunderland. Theoretically, they would have a much better chance of winning against a struggling side than against a top of the table club.

Soccer Betting Verdict: The underlying speculation in this matchup is that Sunderland has a good team but as they are lacking in cutting-edge players they need to play a more inspired game to gain the results they should be. Bolton’s victories are being dismissed as one-offs, flukes. Hence, the money line odds favouring the home win. For my part, I like Bolton in this one and I think they have a great chance to silence critics and prove theirs is not a fluke run.

Soccer Free Picks: Bolton +210 | Under 2 goals +120

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room