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It's 125 years since these two Lancashire founder members first played professional league football. I will no doubt be on my own in hoping that the two score lines this season are a repeat of the 1888-89 season (4-3 and 4-1 both to the Clarets).
What a shame it is that this very special anniversary is going to be somewhat spoilt by Sky and an early kick off. There should really be a full house on t'Turf for this special event but in reality there'll probably only be 15,000 on.
Turf Moor is one of only three grounds still used to this day from that first league season, and yes I can hear some Bolton fans saying that the Cricket Field End where they will be housed is the original stand from 1888. Let me tell you that it isn't, it used to be a slag heap.
The pre season games seemed to have been polar opposites for the two clubs, Burnley have enjoyed their's and Bolton haven't. I personally don't take any notice of these games and Bolton will be a different beast come saturday.
As someone looking in through the window I would say that Bolton have strengthened over the close season whereas Burnley have got like for like in, but maybe with more hunger than before. Baptiste, Tierney and Beckford are very good players at this level and newly signed opposition forwards ALWAYS score against us. So lump it on Beckford to score.
This fixture mirrors last seasons fixture only in terms of it being the first game of the season, other than that it will be a very different game with a different atmosphere. The Irn Bru drinking villain has gone so the home support won't be as noisy or maybe as intimidating to the players (Turf Moor is at its best when there's a villain or an ex bastard player knocking about).
With most games the battle is won or lost in midfield and last season was no exception. Bolton's midfield surprisingly melted and McCann and Marney were truly dominant. It won't be like that this time round and I expect a right battle royale.
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers a reet Lancashire tradition.
What a shame it is that this very special anniversary is going to be somewhat spoilt by Sky and an early kick off. There should really be a full house on t'Turf for this special event but in reality there'll probably only be 15,000 on.
Turf Moor is one of only three grounds still used to this day from that first league season, and yes I can hear some Bolton fans saying that the Cricket Field End where they will be housed is the original stand from 1888. Let me tell you that it isn't, it used to be a slag heap.
The pre season games seemed to have been polar opposites for the two clubs, Burnley have enjoyed their's and Bolton haven't. I personally don't take any notice of these games and Bolton will be a different beast come saturday.
As someone looking in through the window I would say that Bolton have strengthened over the close season whereas Burnley have got like for like in, but maybe with more hunger than before. Baptiste, Tierney and Beckford are very good players at this level and newly signed opposition forwards ALWAYS score against us. So lump it on Beckford to score.
This fixture mirrors last seasons fixture only in terms of it being the first game of the season, other than that it will be a very different game with a different atmosphere. The Irn Bru drinking villain has gone so the home support won't be as noisy or maybe as intimidating to the players (Turf Moor is at its best when there's a villain or an ex bastard player knocking about).
With most games the battle is won or lost in midfield and last season was no exception. Bolton's midfield surprisingly melted and McCann and Marney were truly dominant. It won't be like that this time round and I expect a right battle royale.
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers a reet Lancashire tradition.
