Match Preview: Colchester United vs Bolton Wanderers

After three consecutive home fixtures to start the 2020/2021 season, Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers head to Essex for their first away trip of the season to face Steve Ball’s Colchester United on Saturday.

The Trotters will be hoping that unfamiliar surroundings may be the catalyst they are looking for following three successive defeats at home to Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Forest Green. If they are to turn their fortunes around, Wanderers will be particularly keen to see things much tighter at the back as a loss of concentration at the back has been the Achilles heel for Bolton as Evatt continues to try and impose his possession based style onto his new look Bolton side.

Despite initial rumours suggesting otherwise, the game will be played behind closed doors as the football league continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lengthy lay-off followed by three games in quick succession has left it’s mark on Bolton and changes are likely ahead of Saturdays game. Brandon Comley will be hoping to feature against the side he left in the summer after 2 years with the U’s and the line up could see a first start for Shaun Miller after he impressed off the bench in the EFL Trophy game against Crewe Alexandra. Changes at the back are also likely as Evatt continues to search for the right combination of options available to him.

In terms of selection options for Colchester United, Jonathan Waldron of the Essex County Standard reports that striker Luke Norris could make his first appearance of the season following a knee injury whilst winder Callum Harriot’s fitness will be assed prior to the game. (Full Story)

Bolton have only faced Colchester United twice before in their only previous stint in the fourth tier, with both sides sharing a win a piece. Bolton’s win came in a thumping 4-0 win at Burnden Park as Robert Savage, John Thomas, Mark Came & Jeff Chandler all got on the scoresheet.

There isn’t too much between the two sides in the betting with a Colchester win available at 8/5 whilst Bolton are available at 17/10.