Reading v Bolton, Championship
Madejski Stadium, Saturday 18 August, 3pm
Bolton travel to Reading tomorrow aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season against a Reading side that have lost their first couple of games against Derby and Nottingham Forest. It could be argued that it’s Wanderers first game in their mini-league, after playing teams that are probably thinking of finishing up the right end of the league, we now play a team that were in the relegation mix with us last season and are probably thinking of mid-table at best this time around. Reading did, however, beat Birmingham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, which could boost them.
“We have got goals in the team. We have Josh, Clayton, Oz (Erhun Oztumer) – who is great in that number 10 role – and I feel he will produce things as he did at Leeds.”
Phil Parkinson discussing the striker situation after Adam Le Fondre’s departure. (The Bolton News)
Team news
Sammy Ameobi is touch and go as he recovers from his injury. Marc Wilson and Jack Hobbs could be involved in either tomorrow’s game or Wednesday’s match against Birmingham, while Phil Parkinson said Tuesday’s performance could persuade him to include some of those players tomorrow.
For Reading, defender Liam Moore could play his first league game of the season tomorrow, after he withdrew his transfer request amid interest from Brighton.
Opposition player to watch
Yakou Meite – A young, strong, rapid winger, Meite spent last season on loan at Sochaux back in France. He has played in all three games so far this season, scoring in Tuesday’s cup tie.
Previous visits
Last season Adam Le Fondre cancelled out Modou Barrow’s opener as we drew 1-1 in March. Our last win at the Madejski came in a 2-0 Premier League win in 2008, as we ultimately stayed up and Reading went down.
⚽️⚡️ Adam Le Fondre scored to cancel out Mo Barrow's opener and earn Wanderers a point on our last visit to @ReadingFC.#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/SN5LLpB0aP
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 16, 2018
⚽️⚡️ Flashback. Kevin Nolan and Heidar Helguson were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory at The Madejski Stadium in February 2008.#BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/4Wy0AfSlS1
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 16, 2018
Match prediction
I’m going for a 1-1 draw – we’ve been good so far but Reading played quite well against Derby, and two away wins from two in the league would be too good to be true!
Next fixtures
Two quickfire home games, Birmingham are Wednesday’s visitors before we play Sheffield United next Saturday.