Fulham great value to beat Bolton

If Fulham could hand pick a Premier League home fixture to claim 3 points in, then Bolton Wanderers would be the opponents.

The Trotters have made the trip to Craven Cottage 8 times since both teams secured promotion to the top flight back in 2001, and Fulham have won 7 times with a solitary 1-1 draw.

The bookies quite rightly make Fulham favourites, and with many coupons being printed before the midweek 3-0 win against Blackburn, a price of Evs at William Hill looks far too big.

With history in Fulham's favour and Bolton's poor recent run of form surely this is a home banker?

Any long standing Fulham fans will immediately start to worry when terms like 'Home Banker' are being bandied about.

Hull last season and Derby before that were both Home Bankers that went wrong and despite the massive strides made under Roy Hodgson, Fulham can still throw in the odd quirky result.

The Whites have had their fair share of injuries this season, but unlike the Merseyside pair of Liverpool and Everton they haven't whinged and moaned but just got on with it.

That attitude has paid off as squad players like Chris Baird have come to the fore and can now be reinforced with the likes of Murphy and Johnson who are likely to see action on Saturday.

As one striker comes back in, another - Bobby Zamora - is a major doubt with a groin problem. Zamora, who scored a cracker on his home debut in the corresponding fixture last season is unlikely to be risked with CSKA Sofia and Sunderland around the corner.

So in form Clint Dempsey is likely to deputise up front after his brace against Blackburn.

Bolton were thrashed 5-1 by Villa in their last away game, but have actually picked up more points on their travels than at the Reebok.

They have already picked up maximum points at Portsmouth and Birmingham and under pressure boss Gary Megson will have them well fired up for Saturday.

Megson has changed Bolton's approach this season, slowly dismantling the hoofball culture he inherited from Sam Allardyce for something that actually requires a midfield. Whilst Fulham handled the aerial bombardment from Blackburn well on Wednesday, they will be far more comfortable against Bolton and a more attractive game is likely on Saturday.

Recomendation

Given current form and recent history, I make Fulham about a 4/7 shot to beat Bolton, so if there is any Even money or 5/6 still available on Saturday morning, then get involved.