Bolton Wanderers vs Salford City Match Analysis & Prediction
05/09/2023 9:45 pm
Reigning EFL Trophy champions Bolton Wanderers begin the defence of their title when they host League Two side Salford City in their opening Northern Section Group E match on Tuesday.
The Trotters beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0 in last year’s showpiece event, while Salford have already experienced their own dose of knockout joy this year.
Bolton were left to rue what could have been in the playoffs, suffering a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Barnsley in the semi-finals after finishing fifth in the regular season.
Their bid for redemption got off to the perfect start with successive victories over Lincoln City, Cheltenham Town and Fleetwood Town.
However, the end of August was a forgettable period for the Trotters, who were beaten 4-0 at home to Wigan Athletic and lost in the second round of the EFL Cup to Middlesbrough.
A new month brought new opportunities for Ian Evatt’s side though, and they got back on track at the weekend with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Derby County.
Bolton now become reacquainted with the EFL Trophy, where Stockport County and Manchester United U21 will also endeavour to end the Trotters’ cup defence at the first hurdle in Group E.
Salford are no strangers to EFL Trophy supremacy either, having beaten then-holders Portsmouth on penalties to win the 2019-20 edition, although the final was held 11 months later than planned as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the sporting calender.
Just two-and-a-half years on from that victory behind closed doors, Neil Wood’s side now have the opportunity to put the reigning champions to the sword again, and Salford have already made waves in one EFL knockout competition so far this season.
Salford have beaten Preston North End and Leeds United on penalties to progress to the third round of the EFL Cup for the very first time, where their reward will be a home encounter with newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley.
Sitting 17th in the League Two table due to their underwhelming start to proceedings, Salford now seek an injection of confidence in the EFL Trophy, where they got as far as the quarter-finals last year before being bested by Cheltenham Town.
Bolton Wanderers vs. Salford City Head to head
Bolton Wanderers have won each of the four previous meetings between these two teams, scoring 10 goals while conceding two in the process.
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13/11/2020Bolton Wanderers2Salford City0League Two
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13/04/2021Salford City0Bolton Wanderers1League Two
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09/08/2022Bolton Wanderers5Salford City1League Cup
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22/07/2023Salford City1Bolton Wanderers2Club Friendlies
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05/09/2023Bolton WanderersN/ASalford CityN/AEFL Trophy
Bolton Wanderers Team News
Bolton should only be without three players called up for their respective nations, as Dion Charles will represent Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Josh Sheehan will represent Wales while Zac Ashworth will report for duty with the Welsh U21 team.
Bolton Wanderers's Last 5 Matches
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15/08/2023Bolton Wanderers3Fleetwood Town1League One
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19/08/2023Bolton Wanderers0Wigan Athletic4League One
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26/08/2023Burton Albion1Bolton Wanderers1League One
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29/08/2023Bolton Wanderers1Middlesbrough3League Cup
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02/09/2023Bolton Wanderers2Derby County1League One
Salford City Team News
Veteran centre-back Adrian Mariappa will not be at Salford’s disposal, as the 36-year-old prepares to turn out for Jamaica during the international break.
Theo Vassell is the most likely candidate to fill in for Mariappa at the heart of the backline, while the creative Odin Bailey departed the club on loan for Stockport County during the last knockings of the window.
Salford City's Last 5 Matches
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15/08/2023Grimsby Town2Salford City0League Two
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19/08/2023Tranmere Rovers3Salford City4League Two
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26/08/2023Salford City1Accrington Stanley2League Two
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29/08/2023Salford City(P)1Leeds United1League Cup
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02/09/2023Morecambe1Salford City0League Two
Bolton Wanderers vs. Salford City: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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