After dropping down from the Premier League last season, Hull have struggled in the Championship, picking up just one win and four points from their opening four games. Bolton made the opposite move, they were promoted from League One and they have also struggled to adapt to life in the Championship, although this was to be expected.
With two teams desperate for a win and to gather a bit of momentum and form, this should be a well fought contest on Friday night. Bolton will know that they are in for a tough away day, and Hull will see this as a great opportunity to pick up another victory and steady the ship.
Hull Form
Life back in the Championship hasn’t been easy for Hull so far, although if they can pick up a couple of wins, starting here, then things will look a lot better for them. They have a few players left at the club from the Premier League team last season, although with holes that are clear for all to see, they really could do with signing a few players before the deadline next week.
Hull’s opening two games were pretty good, they picked up a good point away at Aston Villa, before beating Burton comfortably 4-1 at home. However, since then they have been beaten 3-2 at home to Wolves and 2-1 away at QPR. That has left them on just four points, a total they would have expected to be better at this stage.
The situation Hull are in right now isn’t ideal, but they can easily turn it round with a couple of wins. They will have targeted this game against Bolton as one they can win and on Friday night all they need to do is go out and execute that.
Bolton Form
I expected Bolton to struggle on their return to the Championship and so far they have performed exactly as I thought they would. They have drawn two and lost two of their four games, they are still without a win and that is something they desperately need right now to get them going.
The two draws that Bolton have had so far have come against clubs who are expected to struggle this season, Millwall and Birmingham. They could really have done with picking up a victory in one or both of those, they may come back to haunt them later this season.
The losses were expected, against Leeds and Derby, two good teams but at this stage now Bolton desperately need to find a win from somewhere, it doesn’t matter where it is. This game against Hull is going to be very tough, but something needs to be done if Bolton are to show they can compete.
Team News
Hull have players still at the club from their Premier League season and these players need to do their best to push Hull on in the Championship. Michael Dawson leads them defensively and while ever they have him in defence, Hull will always be well organised. Going forward players like Sebastian Larsson, Kamil Grosicki and Adama Diomande have to show more and come together to bring goals to this team.
Bolton have a very thin squad so they can’t afford too many injuries or suspensions. They need goals, and up front Adam La Fondre and Gary Madine can produce those, they just need to get going. With question marks over their defence, these two have to be on their game every single time they play this season.
Top Betting Tips
With the way Bolton are playing at the moment and my thoughts on them for the season, I cannot back them at all at the moment. Hull are a good team, and although they haven’t been at their best so far this season, they probably don’t have to be to beat Bolton.
I am more than happy to back Hull at 5/6 with Stan James and Ladbrokes against a very poor Bolton team. The price of nearly evens is huge on a Hull win and I am sure they can get back to winning ways here. Bolton look destined for a long relegation battle this season and from what I have seen this season from them, they just don’t look like they can cut it in the Championship. Hull are much better than Bolton on their day and if they turn up and play anything like they have done already this season, they are more than capable of beating this Bolton team.