Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Grimsby Town

After being knocked out of the EFL Trophy earlier this week thanks to a defeat against Sam Ricketts’ Shrewsbury Town, Bolton Wanderers return to the UNIBOL to face a Grimsby Town side who still haven’t scored in the league this season.

Having seen their last couple of fixtures postponed due to both playing & management staff needing to self isolate, The Mariners return looking to get off the bottom of the table. In their two league games so far, they’ve conceded five and scored none, losing to Morecambe and Salford City.

The game reunites Ian Evatt with one his former managers, Ian Holloway, who clearly had a huge influence on his playing career and his managerial career so far. The pair, alongside Wanderers’ goalkeeping coach Matt Gilks, played key roles in Blackpool’s rise to the Premier League in 2010.

“We want to win, obviously, but first and foremost it will be great to see him again because he was great for us in our careers and taught me so much”, Evatt stated in his pre-match presser this week.

Team News

Both Gethin Jones & Tom White are expected to be out for around six weeks, thankfully returning a lot sooner than what was initially thought. Liam Edwards is on track to return before December, whilst Faal, Isgrover and Miller remain out also.

Aside from Jones, Evatt could name the same side that beat Harrogate Town last week, with Alex Baptiste a possible change in place of Harry Brockbank.

Grimsby will be boosted by the recent arrival of Bristol Rovers midfielder Kyle Bennett, who arrived on loan earlier this week.

Prediction

I’m backing Wanderers to get their first home win of the season with a 2-1 win.