Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Exeter City

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Bolton Wanderers and Exeter City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bolton Wanderers and Exeter City square off on Saturday afternoon looking to build on what has been a mixed start to the season.

These two teams sit in 13th and 17th spot in the League One standings, only accumulating one victory apiece from three matches.

Match preview
© Imago

On the back of their playoff final defeat in May, Ian Evatt faced a tough task to lift his Bolton players given the magnitude of that disappointment.

Coming through their opening five matches of the season in all competitions with just the one defeat should be deemed to be a success, that loss in question coming at a Charlton Athletic side who are yet to concede a goal in the third tier.

As well as winning at Leyton Orient on the opening weekend, Bolton have also held Wrexham to a goalless draw, a positive result given the progression of the Welsh team.

The Trotters find themselves with a third-round date with Arsenal in the EFL Cup after they posted a 2-0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town in midweek.

If a negative point was to be identified, it would be Bolton having failed to score more than twice in any of their opening encounters.

As for Exeter, they began the season with an eye-catching triumph over relegated Rotherham United, the hope being that they could build on that result.

However, Gary Caldwell’s side have now gone three games without success, albeit being involved in three tight encounters with two ending in 2-1 losses.

The frustrations stems from holding early leads against each of Northampton Town and Peterborough United, Caldwell and his players likely feeling that they could have been in the upper echelons at this stage.

A trip to Bolton represents another tough game before the international break, yet there were be belief that they can trouble opponents who are yet to showcase their best football in the final third.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

Exeter City League One form:

Exeter City form (all competitions):

Team News
Scott Arfield, providing that he shakes off a knock, and Kyle Dempsey are both pushing for starts for Bolton after their performances against Shrewsbury in the EFL Cup.

Chris Forino also did his chances of an opportunity in the back three no harm, with Eoin Toal potentially the player to miss out.

Unlike their hosts, Exeter have had a week to prepare for this contest, and Caldwell may choose to select the same first XI.

Youngster Kamari Doyle made an impression from the substitutes’ bench last week, yet he will likely remain among the replacements.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Toal, Santos, Johnston; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Schon; Dempsey, Charles, Collins

Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Sweeney, Crama, Yfeko; Niskanen, Cole, Woods, Aitchison, McMillan; Magennis, Alli

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Exeter City
Neither side have any momentum heading into this contest based on their recent League One fixtures, which could make for a low-key affair. However, we are backing the home side to come through, potentially through a late goal when Exeter are settling for a point.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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