Bolton Wanderers (home team)
- Bolton have won two, drawn one and lost one of their last four home matches in all competitions.
- Steven Schumacher's side come into this game with the better overall record of the two having won two, drawn two and lost just one of their last five matches in a mixed-but-solid run.
- But what stands out about this Bolton team is their ability to adapt and play front-foot soccer, even on the road.
- Schumacher's team have plenty of width and know how to rotate players and formations to their advantage, and in Ruben Rodrigues, they have the perfect end-product to threaten when they do press forward and create.
Preston North End (away team)
- Preston have won three and lost four of their last seven away matches in all competitions.
- Preston, in contrast, have won one and lost four of their last five games in a poor run of form that has seen them concede too many goals and fall short in the victory column.
- Paul Heckingbottom's team have been solid in possession and set up in a compact way with wing-backs, pressing triggers and quick vertical transitions that can spring a counter-attack at any moment.
Bolton
He has scored four of Wanderers' five goals in the last five-match run which has seen them draw 0-0 at home to Everton, draw 1-1 at Fleetwood Town and beat NAC Breda 1-0 at home.
Betting Insights
- Bolton's 2.18 odds for this game are good enough to take, especially with Preston 3.15, although they should be much closer.
- But we could see this turning into a scrappy game with neither side wanting to give anything away, so Under 2.5 goals at 1.8 and Both Teams To Score - No at 1.95 are also our picks for this clash.
Prediction
Bolton have been a much more difficult team to beat this year and they look the more likely winners on home turf.
