We Predict the First Six: Chris M

With the return of the Championship a mere seven weeks away, and with the fixtures being unveiled back on 17th June, it's high time that we assess how the mighty Bolton Wanderers will fare in our opening six fixtures.

Each of the LOV writers will attack this piece in turn, but first up it's my turn - mainly because I thunk of it:

1) 8th August - Bolton Wanderers 2 v 1 Derby County

Wanderers will be the first opponents faced by Derby under their new manager Paul Clement, pinched from the Real Madrid bench with the promise of untold riches, and a minor point of a £3m per season pay packet. Imagine that, a manager in the Championship earning the best part of £60k a week.

Anyway, I fancy Wanderers to take this, 2-1. Derby have made a few signings thus far, and we know that it can take time for that new team to gel, especially under a first-time manager such as Clement.

2) 15th August - Middlesbrough 3 v 0 Bolton Wanderers

We all know that Bolton are generally hopeless away from home, especially against the big boys. A lot depends on whether Boro will continue to benefit from cheap loans from Chelsea, as they have previously under Aitor Karanka, but we all know that the relationship between the two clubs has been exploited before and it would take a brave man to bet against it happening again.

3) 18th August - MK Dons 1 v 2 Bolton Wanderers

We'll do them. MK Dons are my tip to go straight back down this season, and so therefore it will be the start of our wonderful run to the top half of the table which will be a delightful change from the pathetic struggles of the Dougie Freedman era which saw the club fail to win a game until March in both 2013 and 2014.

4) 22nd August - Bolton Wanderers 5 v 0 Nottingham Forest

In no way connected with the return of the aforementioned Scot, this home game will see Neil Lennon's Bolton hit full stride, recording a fantastic and dominant victory over Nottingham Forest at the Reebok Stadium. I can't predict the goalscorers, mainly because we haven't signed them yet, but it'll likely involve a five goal haul from one of Gary Hooper, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Eidur Gudjohnsen or Lionel Messi.

5) 29th August - Blackburn Rovers 1 v 1 Bolton Wanderers

The positive feelings amongst the fans will see Wanderers navigate the somewhat tricky seas in between Bolton and Dingleshire with relative ease. What has been a tough game for Bolton in recent years will instead be a solid and important away point, with a last minute Blackburn equaliser giving them a single point that they barely deserve. It was ever thus.

6) 12th September - Bolton Wanderers 2 v 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Another home victory for the mighty Whites, who will take Kenny Jackett's men by the scruff of their necks and send them packing back down to the Midlands with their shitty tails between their legs. An early own goal from Benik Afobe will see the home fans laughing all the way to the top of the league.