Uefa cup this thursday

Sporting Lisbon V Bolton

After going so far in the tournament it would appear that Gary Megson and Bolton have decided that Premiership survival is now the main priority. When the first leg finished 1 – 1 Boltons dream was all but over as Sporting has that vital away goal which they deserved. Now, Megson has decided that the upcoming game with Wigan on Sunday is more important and this is reflected in the players he has rested for this game. Jussi Jaaskelainen and captain Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies, Matt Taylor, Andy O'Brien, Ivan Campo, El-Hadji Diouf and Ricardo Gardner while Gavin McCann is suspended and Tamir Cohen, Grzegorz Rasiak and Gretar Steinsson are ineligible. That right there is some of Bolton most influential players and with all them missing you would fancy Derby County to give them a beating.
Sporting Lisbon are undefeated at home in the league and have score in each home game averaging 2 a game.
In stark contrast, Bolton are pretty feeble away from the Reebok and have lost 9 times in the premiership conceding almost 2 a game.
After more than matching Bolton in England Sporting look great value to win here. Bolton have many inexperienced players travelling and performing on a big european night away from home. Also, just a though, it must have been very disheartening for Bolton to see Everton and Tottenham to go out of the cup. Both sides are much better than Bolton and the fact is that Bolton don’t possess the quality to go any further in the Uefa cup.

Verdict
Sporting to win this with a bit to spare. They have the attacking quality to get 2 or 3 goals here. Bolton have had some notable results beating Red Star Belgrade and drawing with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid but this is a much weaker team.
Lisbon to win with a bit to spare. They should also cover the handicap but right now im just content with the odds on the straight home win.

PICK
Sporting Lisbon ( 1.62 @ stanjames) 7 points