Carabao Cup Match Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers travel to Gresty Road tonight to face League Two side Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the newly named Carabao Cup. The Alex, now managed by former Crewe and Gibraltar international player David Artell, started the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Wanderers will be hoping to put the 3-2 home defeat to Leeds United behind them with a win in the cup. Bolton have failed to get past the first round of the League Cup for the past two seasons, having suffered defeats to Burton Albion and Blackpool FC respectively.

Wanderers’ last trip to Gresty Road was coincidentally in the League Cup in August 2014, with Bolton winning 3-2 in the Second Round. Jermaine Beckford scored the winner in the second half of extra time.

Team News

Wanderers will definitely be without Sammy Ameobi, David Wheater and Josh Vela. Wheater will see a specialist this week due to problem with his back, whilst we still wait to hear how severe Vela’s ankle ligament damage truly is. Captain Darren Pratley may return after missing the Leeds game with a virus. Filipe Morais is set to return after recovering from a knee injury.

Adam Armstrong, Will Buckley and Reece Burke could be in line for their first starts for the club. The game also presents a good opportunity for Ben Alnwick, Mark Little, Derik Osede, Anthonee Robinson and Aaron Wilbraham to earn their first minutes of the season.

Crewe will be without George Ray, James Jones and Zoumana Bakayogo, but Jordan Bowery could feature after playing ten minutes at the weekend.

Form

Crewe Alexandra - D

Bolton Wanderers - L

Top Goalscorer

Crewe Alexandra - Chris Porter (2)

Bolton Wanderers - Gary Madine, Adam Le Fondre (1)

Odds

Crewe Alexandra - 3/1

Draw - 13/5

Bolton Wanderers - 10/11

Match Prediction

Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Bolton Wanderers

Last Meeting