Bolton vs Stoke – Pulis can avenge his bad memories of Wembley
Published:Two managers take their teams to Wembley on Sunday for the second of the FA Cup semi-finals and one manager will be able to draw on a positive experience while the other will be hoping to avenge his Wembley memory.
In 2009 Owen Coyle led an unfancied Burnley side into the Premier League through the Championship play-off final, but back in 1999 Tony Pulis was on the wrong end of an incredible Manchester City comeback.
Leading 2-0 with three minutes to go Pulis’ Gillingham side conceded two injury time goals before being beaten on penalties in the old Division Two play-off final and the Welshman is hoping for better luck this time around.
Match Odds
The FA Cup betting suggests this is a very tight game to call with Bolton Wanderers the 7/5 favourites and Stoke City available at 2/1.
Bolton have lost just one FA Cup tie to Stoke way back in 1927 and have the upper hand in that respect and Owen Coyle’s side have three wins to Stoke’s two in the six Premier League clashes between the two.
Extra-time is a real possibility in this match and Bolton are 10/1 to win in extra time or 10/1 to win on penalties.
Stoke are 10/1 to win on penalties but bizarrely 11/1 to win in extra-time and with the likes of Ricardo Fuller and John Carew to bring on, Stoke offer all the value to win in extra time.
To Qualify
Based on Premier League form Bolton are the better side and should be confident of progressing to the FA Cup final, but Stoke’s resilience has been proven plenty of times this season and at 1/1 to qualify, they are a tempting bet.
A £10 stake on Stoke winning the game after extra-time would return £120. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of a free FA Cup bet worth up to £30.
