Bolton (home)
- Bolton Wanderers sit comfortably in the top half of the table in around 6th position with 28 points and a +8 goal difference from 17 matches.
- Steven Schumacher is an organised and attacking manager who has led Bolton back into the promotion race since taking over in January 2025.
- His flexible 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system is possession based, but also brings width in attack and a solid structure in build-up and defensive transitions.
- Bolton’s recent results include: L, W, D, D (all-competitions). Looking at recent form also helps inform our Bolton Wanderers vs Exeter City FC betting tips.
Exeter (away)
- Gary Caldwell has brought a tactical discipline and defensive structure to Exeter City FC since his appointment as head coach in October 2022.
- His preferred 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1 system is built around maintaining possession, good wing-back play, and a compact shape in the central third, which is an important aspect for this Bolton Wanderers vs Exeter City FC betting tips analysis.
- However, the visitors’ lack of regular goal output has been a major factor in their inconsistent start to League One.
- They have managed to win just five of their 17 league matches, leaving them teetering on the edge of the relegation zone on 17 points with a -2 goal difference from the same number of games as their opponents.
Head-to-Head
- The all-time head-to-head record between these clubs stands at W9, L5 in Bolton’s favour, which weighs into our Bolton Wanderers vs Exeter City FC prediction.
- The hosts have won four of the last eight meetings in all competitions (D2, L2) including a 2-1 away win in January 2025.
Key Players
- Bolton
- A. Cozier-Duberry provides the creative spark for the home team, contributing six goals and a handful of assists this term.
- Forss provides pace and finishing from the bench, contributing important goals, while Burstow is a powerful and clinical presence up top with seven in 17 appearances.
- Exeter
- Jayden Wareham is Exeter’s main goal threat with five in 17, but the Grecians have been hit by injuries to attacking players in recent weeks, including Sonny Cox.
- Josh Magennis offers a more physical option in the frontline and brings a different dimension to their attack, but his four goals in 14 appearances are still a modest return.
- Reece Cole is the engine of Exeter’s attacking play, supplying quality assists and providing their best set-piece quality.
Betting Insights
- Bolton are rightfully installed as the heavy favorites here at 1.41.
- Exeter are a distant 7.09 at the time of writing, but the draw is also a decent price at 4.6 given what’s at stake here. The Bolton Wanderers vs Exeter City FC betting tips also take these odds into account.
- A narrow Bolton win is our preferred bet in the correct score market, but the visitors’ defensive discipline and ability to be resilient in the face of adversity could keep this close enough for Exeter to nick a goal on the counter.
- December’s damp, blustery conditions at the University of Bolton Stadium will likely favour the physically stronger, more organised side, and may make things tougher for the teams in open play.
Prediction
Bolton’s depth and quality across the field, combined with home field advantage, should see them through. The final Bolton Wanderers vs Exeter City FC betting tips point toward a home victory.
