Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town

After the vital 1-0 win against Hull City on Monday, Bolton Wanderers start their 2018 FA Cup adventure against Premier League side Huddersfield Town.

The four time FA Cup Champions will be hoping on improving their recent record in the competition. Bolton haven’t got past the 4th round for six years, when Owen Coyle’s side were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012 Quarter Finals.

Today marks the seventh time that the two sides have faced each other in the FA Cup, with Wanderers unbeaten.

Wanderers’ league record however against Huddersfield isn’t as impressive.

You’ll have to go back to 2014 for Bolton’s last win against Huddersfield. Craig Davies scored the only goal as Wanderers won 1-0 under Neil Lennon. Since then, Huddersfield have won three in a row, the last being a 2-0 win back in January 2016.

Town have enjoyed a relatively successful return to the top flight. They currently sit 11th, just one point off the top half.

Team News

Karl Henry and Darren Pratley both face lengthy spells on the sidelines, having picked up injuries against Hull on Monday.

Top goalscorer Gary Madine will be rested and Josh Vela will be absent through illness, so expect to see a much changed side. The likes of Filipe Morais, Dorian Dervite, Aaron Wilbraham, Derik and Jem Karacan could all be in line to start.

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see some youngsters get some game time.

For Huddersfield, new loan signing Terence Kongolo could make his debut. Philip Billing could return after nearly three months out with an ankle injury, whilst former Wanderers youth player Aaron Mooy might play against his former side.

Form

Bolton Wanderers - LLWLWW

Huddersfield - LWDDDL

Odds

Huddersfield are slight favourites with the bookies with odds of 23/20. A home win is 5/2, with a draw at 9/4.

Match Prediction

With key players absent, I think Wanderers might lose this one. I love the magic of the cup, but the league is the priority this season. 2-1 Huddersfield.