After a flood/rain/whatever happened-induced postponement stopping us from playing Lincoln City on Saturday, Bolton Wanderers now focus on a run of four consecutive home games played across three separate competitions.
The first of those is our final EFL Trophy group game – the most demeaning of the three as we welcome Man City’s youngsters – like many, these clubs shouldn’t be in the competition. But they are, and Wanderers will need at least a penalty shootout win to keep their qualification hopes alive. An outright win would give us a better shout when we wait and watch Rochdale and Bradford, who both currently have the same number of points, play each other in November.
Team news
No idea, although Keith Hill may make a few changes to test things out for future games – of course there is a level of restriction on how much things can be changed due to the rules of this thing. Man City’s underage side could potentially miss a few players – the senior side play Southampton in the Carabao Cup also tomorrow evening – and they have generally used that competition to bring younger players into Pep Guardiola’s first string.
How it stands
Man City’s U23 are through after two wins from two – Bolton are currently second – along with Rochdale and Bradford, we have two points each, but we have a 0 goal difference owing to our two draws, while Bradford are -1 and Dale -2. Basically, if we win in normal time, the winner of Bradford v Rochdale on Nov 12th would have to win in 90 minutes and overcome our goal difference to knock us out. If we win on penalties tomorrow, then the winner at Valley Parade would have to win in 90 minutes, but any win in 90 minutes would do.
If we lose tomorrow, penalties or in 90 minutes, we’re out.
Prediction
I reckon a draw, or a 2-1 win for Bolton. A real stab in the dark mind. I just want us to have a go in this competition, I don’t care what anyone says.