We Predict The First Six: Rob

Following yesterday's revealing of Bolton Wanderers' fixtures for next season, we're giving our predictions on how we believe the side will fare in the opening six matches.

Our first six fixtures look a little tricky on paper, but I have full faith in Neil Lennon getting the boys up for a much needed fast start to the season.

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

Opening day encounters are always tricky to call, but I fancy Neil Lennon will have his men well and truly up for this one to hopefully avoid any repeat of last year's debacle at Watford. Derby will likely be tough opposition to kick off the new season, but on home turf I think we'll come away with a share of the points. Bolton get a bright start buoyed on by a bouncing Macron crowd, but Derby take a 2-0 lead through a lucky goal off Darren Bent's backside and a penalty from Chris Martin. But Wanderers come out rallying in the second half and pull the game back to 2-2 through a Zach Clough wonder free-kick and a late equaliser by Darren Pratley to celebrate his new contract.

2) 15th August, Middlesbrough 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

As we've seen this season just past, Middlesbrough don't concede many but they also don't score too many. The embarrassment of being well and truly outplayed by Norwich City in last season's Play-Off Final could also see them suffer a hangover early in the season. Fresh from dispatching Burton Albion in the Carling Cup, I think Bolton will head up to The Riverside and nick a point thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen.

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

Bolton are useless away from home, but sooner or later that has to change and we have to start winning away from the Macron. If it's going to happen then surely it has to be at MK Dons, who will likely be one of the weaker teams in the division. Clough and Max Clayton will inspire Wanderers to a vital away victory.

4) 22nd August, Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Useless Scottish manager Dougie Freedman brings his Dougie Bingo tactics back to the Macron for the first time in the fourth league game of the campaign. He's promptly sent back home sobbing into his whiskey as Bolton give his Forest side a good hammering. Josh Vela begins the rout in the first half, and celebrates by running over to Dougie and pulling a moonie. Then a Zach Clough brace sees Wanderers romp home to a comfortable victory.

5) 29th August, Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers' early season away form reaches euphoric heights with a second successive win on the road, this time at the expensive of neighbours Blackburn. Tim Ream notches his first goal ever to open the scoring, then Clough adds to his tally for the season late on to seal all three points.

6) 12th September, Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

The real Wanderers climb to the top of the Championship with a strong performance against their Midlands rivals. Midfield playmaker Mark Davies seals a much needed string of starts by opening the scoring with a wonder goal against his former club. Goals from that man Clough and late sub Eidur see Bolton coasting to victory, before a late consolation from former Whites loanee Benik Afobe.

And there you have it, Bolton will be sitting pretty atop of the Championship in early September. Maybe.