West Ham United’s bid to bounce back to the Premier League got off to a rocky start as they claimed just one point from their opening two Championship games but they have hit some form ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.
The Hammers are looking for a third win on the spin after a 4-2 success over Wolves and a 3-0 win over Derby County, both at home, and they face a Bolton side who are going in the other direction.
Bolton made a solid start after securing promotion last season with a win over Preston North End and then a point at QPR, but they have now lost three games in a row.
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United Tips Summary
Best Bet - West Ham United -1 handicap @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Jarrod Bowen to register an assist @ 9/4
Bet Builder - Jarrod Bowen to score or assist, Ruben Rodrigues 1+ shot on target & Chris Forino to be booked @ 12/1
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United Prediction
Best Bet: West Ham United -1 handicap @ 13/8
Bolton were crushed 4-0 at Millwall at the weekend as they slipped to a third defeat in a row, having also lost out to fellow promoted outfit Lincoln City at home and at Sheffield United.
Those results do not necessarily tell the full story, as the Whites were on top for large periods in all three of those games but failed to take their chances and were ultimately punished, but West Ham United are perhaps a level above those three opponents.
The Hammers were a Premier League side last season, while Bolton were in League One, and on paper the visitors are a far stronger team.
West Ham United have also built up some momentum and are in fine form in the final third, with 12 goals scored across their last four games, whereas the hosts have been misfiring in attack and are starting to look like a team low on confidence.
Bolton have failed to score in four of their six games this season and if they draw a blank against the Hammers, the visitors should be expected to win by more than one goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors look to be hitting their stride and they can win with a bit of room to spare at the Toughsheet Stadium.
Alternative Bet: Jarrod Bowen to register an assist @ 9/4
West Ham should be able to score a few goals against a defence that has shipped seven in the last two games and there is a good chance that Jarrod Bowen will be involved in some capacity.
Bowen has three goals and three assists across all competitions this season and the value is in the latter market.
Bowen has only scored once in the league and two of his assists have come in this competition. He is also averaging 3.2 key passes per game and should create a couple of chances for his side against an out-of-sorts Wanderers defence.
Bolton Wanderers v West Ham United Bet Builder Tip
Jarrod Bowen to score or assist
Ruben Rodrigues 1+ shot on target
Chris Forino to be booked
Pays 12/1
As a single selection, an assist for Jarrod Bowen looks a strong play, but for the purposes of this bet builder the prudent approach of either a goal or an assist for the visiting skipper is the better option.
Bolton will definitely be forced into a change in midfield as Josh Sheehan is suspended and boss Steven Schumacher may opt for a few alterations after the bruising loss at Millwall.
Ruben Rodrigues is one man pushing for a recall to the starting XI and he stands out for an attempt on goal. He was introduced after the break at The Den and he had two attempts - one of which was on target.
Wanderers defender Chris Forino has one booking this season and was booked six times in the previous campaign.
Forino is not a player who commits a lot of fouls but will make crucial interventions when his side are under pressure, and those situations often lead to a card.
Bolton will probably spend a lot of this game on the back foot and that could see Forino forced into an infringement that sees him booked.
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Key Match Stats
Both teams have scored in six of Bolton’s last eight competitive home games
West Ham are unbeaten on their travels this season (W1, D2)
Bolton have won eight of their last nine games against West Ham (L1)
Divine Mukasa and Joel Piroe are West Ham’s joint top-scorers this season with two goals each
Sam Dalby is Bolton’s top scorer with two goals
Both teams have scored in six of West Ham United’s seven games this season across all competitions
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
