Expect stalemate as out-of-form Bolton and Aston Villa clash

Bolton and Aston Villa are two teams entrenched in a wretched run of form, and for this reason it is extremely difficult to separate the sides this Saturday.

Each side are priced at 8/5 for victory in the game, with Bolton’s home advantage countering the superior quality the likes of Darren Bent provide for Villa.

The draw, a very respectable 12/5, looks to be the best bet, and scoreline betting could be a good market to look at in this fixture, as either side are currently advocates of shoddy defending.

Although Villa have failed to notch in their past three league games, a side featuring the raw pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor, along with the sheer finishing ability of England striker Bent, should have enough to find the net away to a side who has conceded an appalling 34 goals this campaign.

This, along with the attacking nature of Owen Coyle’s tactics, particularly at home, makes the 14/1 for a 2-2 draw seem appealing.

Alternatively, punters could take advantage of the monster 50/1 odds on a 3-3 draw.

Coyle will be desperate to get off to a positive start in front of his own fans, and therefore it could be wise to back the home side to be leading at half-time, and to draw at full-time at 14/1.

In addition to this, it could be worth taking look at Bolton players in the first goal scorer markets on the game.

Ivan Klasnic has six goals to his name this term and is 11/2 to hit the first goal at the Reebok, whilst four-goal Chris Eagles, who struck in Bolton’s League Cup win at Villa Park earlier in the year, is an interesting proposition at 10/1.

Darren Bent, the visitors’ main threat, is desperate to get back on the goal trail after three games without finding the net, and he can be backed at 5/1 to hit the last goal here, or 6/4 to notch at any time for more cautious punters.