BOLTON and Stoke contest the second FA Cup semi-final on Sunday and the odds slightly favour Owen Coyle's men.
It looks a close one to call between two mid-table EPL rivals but Bolton might just have the edge. I'd be more confident if on-loan Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge was eligible but Coyle could have pulled a masterstroke by taking his side on a Wembley visit to cool nerves before the big game.
Bolton go into the match on the back of a thumping home victory against West Ham and confidence is high. Rodrigo and Ivan Klasnic are among the contenders to replace Sturridge who scored a double against West Ham.
Midfielder Mark Davies is expected to be included in the squad after returning to training following an ankle problem.
Stoke will recall keeper Thomas Sorensen as he has been a regular in previous rounds with usual No.1 Asmir Begovic on the bench.
Striker John Carew could come into contention following a four-match absence with a back problem.
The sides have played each other twice, winning one apiece, so it could go either way.
Bolton are favourites to win in 90 minutes at a biggest 6-4 with Hills and Paddy Power courtesy of sitting higher in the league table. Stoke are a best 2-1 at bet365, Chandler and Ladbrokes while the draw is 12-5 at boylesports. William Hill offer 9-2 the tie goes to penalties.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes say the betting industry was toasting a £10 million swing after Man City ended hopes of a Man United treble at Wembley.
Bookies had been fearing a red-wash as punters latched on to the prospect of all three major trophies heading to Old Trafford.
But Roberto Mancini's team rode to the rescue of the layers to end the United dream in what has been hailed as the most significant result of the season.
Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: “It was the best result of the entire season for us. The United treble was giving us a major headache. Mancini is the toast of bookies across the land.
“The City 1-0 win was great, the outright book on the FA Cup looks great and the fact United's dream has been punctured is the icing on our cake.”
City are odds on at 2-5 with Ladbrokes to lift the FA Cup. United are 11-4 to land the league title/Champions League double but have been cut to 13-2 to finish the season with no trophies. Bolton are 7-2 for the Cup with Stoke 9-2.
Recommendations
Bolton to win in 90 mins
(6-4, Hills, Paddy Power, Chandler)
(5-6, Coral, bodog)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
