Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Grimsby Town

Wanderers will begin their FA Cup journey this weekend, coming up against League Two side Grimsby Town.

The last time Bolton featured in the 1st round was back in the 1993/1994 season, when they beat Scottish side Gretna 3-2 away.

Bolton haven't faced Grimsby since 2001, drawing 2-2 against the Mariners at the Reebok.

Wanderers have also come up against Grimsby in the FA Cup five times, drawing twice and winning the other three.

Bolton will be without temporary captain Jay Spearing, who has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a groin strain.

Lewis Buxton, Max Clayton and Dean Moxey are closing in on first team returns, but are unlikely to feature.

Tom Thorpe and Darren Pratley remain Wanderers' only long term absentees.

Alex Perry and Jack Earing were both handed their Whites debuts earlier in the season in the 'trophy' and will be hoping for a second taste of senior action.

Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Alnwick, Dorian Dervite, Jamie Proctor and Chris Taylor will all be hoping for a chance to play if Phil Parkinson decides to rest certain starters.

Grimsby will come to the Macron without defender Ben Davies and midfielder Sean McAllister, with Davies not responding well to treatment for his calf injury and McAllister undergoing an operation on his knee in midweek in order to help cure his injury woes.

However, Town could receive a boost with the return of winger Ashley Chambers to the squad, who has impressed in training this week.

Can Wanderers make it seven wins in a row? The bookies seem to think so, making Bolton favourites with odds of 4/9. The odds for a draw are 10/3 and a Grimsby win comes in at 11/2.

You can also get odds of 7/2 for in form Zach Clough to score and Wanderers to win.

Personally, I can only see a Bolton win. I'll go with Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Grimsby Town.