Preston v Bolton, Championship
Deepdale, 1 September, 3pm
We signed a striker. Cool. Now Bolton move back onto the business of tomorrow’s Derby That Isn’t Really A Derby As Far As I’m Concerned when we travel up the M61 to play Preston North End. It’s the final game before the international hiatus, and a fourth win out of six, with top two Leeds and Middlesbrough playing each other as this article is being penned, would go down superbly.
⚽️ Pre-match. Bolton Wanderers skipper David Wheater spoke to https://t.co/oVVl0dtnLo to preview this weekend's game against @pnefc.
👉 https://t.co/KLDX65sW0j#BWFC 🐘🏰
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 31, 2018
Team news
Christian Doidge will likely be unavailable, signing too late in the day to be eligible. Gary O’Neil may be fit after a groin injury. Preston have a few missing, Ryan Ledson is suspended, while Sean Maguire, Billy Bodin and Calum Woods are all injured. Tom Clarke and Alan Browne are fit again, while Paul Gallagher returns from suspension.
Opposition player to watch
Paul Gallagher is back from suspension and could be a right pain to play against in midfield. Also look out for Man City loanees Lukas Nmecha and Brandon Barker.
Stats and facts
Bolton’s last two trips to Deepdale have ended up in goalless draws. Both were live on Sky, who have decided not to show tomorrow’s game, so it’ll inevitably be 4-3 one way or another.
Wanderers have won both their opening league away games, if they make it three from three, it’ll be the first time we’ve started with three away wins since 2000-01. How did that season end, do you ask?
⚽️⚡️ Flashback. Ricardo Gardner scored this superb goal against @pnefc at the Millennium Stadium to put the icing on the cake and send Wanderers back to the @premierleague in May 2001. 🇯🇲🚀#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/6pDDlyKpUG
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 31, 2018
Preston have won one and drawn one of their opening home league games.
Prediction
Preston haven’t had the best start to the season but they’re a team not be underestimated and they haven’t lost at home yet. I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.
Next fixtures
We’re at home to QPR two weeks on Saturday. That’s followed by a midweek trip to Middlesbrough.