Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Derby County

Bolton Wanderers vs. Derby County

Macron Stadium, Horwich

Saturday 8^th August 2015

KO: 15:00

Bolton Wanderers and Derby County contest in the first game of the 2015/2016 SkyBet Championship Season. Bolton will look to build on their lowly finish last season whilst Derby County have invested heavily in attempt to return to the Premier League. The game also represents the first game in management for former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain assistant manager Paul Clement.

Team News

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers have quite a strong squad to choose from but the noticeable absentees are new signing Derik Osede (3 weeks), Max Clayton (Estimated 2 months) and David Wheater (Untill the end of time).

Derby County

New signings Tom Ince, Andreas Weimann and verteran Darren Bent could all feature for The Rams whose roster also includes the pre-tournament favourite for top scorer, Johnnie Russell.

Form

Bolton Wanderers: Season hasn't started and I'm not including pre-season

Derby County: As above

One To Watch

Johnnie Russell - Very dangerous front man who is highly-tipped to fire The Rams to the Premier League

What's Been Said:

Neil Lennon on Derby County: "They're a big, strong team with experience, quality and strength in depth, which is what you need for this division.''

Clement on Derby's promotion push: "We know what our goal is and that's to get promotion as soon as possible,"

Prediction

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Derby County