Bolton Wanderers welcome Salford City to Toughsheet Community Stadium for an EFL Trophy Group E fixture on Tuesday. Bolton are the defending champions of the competition and should be too strong for the League Two side, who have been erratic this season.
Bolton Wanderers are the defending champions of the EFL Trophy after beating Plymouth Argyle 4-0 to win the competition back in May. They are also the most successful team with three titles and will be keen extend their record in the tournament.
The good news for Bolton Wanderers is that they have made a solid start to the season and are currently second on the League One standings after losing just once in their opening six matches. They head into Tuesday’s clash off the back of a 2-1 victory over Derby County last Saturday with Dion Charles among the goals.
In addition to their fine start to the season, Bolton Wanderers’ recent record in the EFL Cup is quite impressive. Ian Evatt’s men have won their last six matches in the competition, keeping clean sheets in five of those wins.
Salford City have been on a giant killing fad this season, accounting for the exits of Championship teams in the Carabao Cup. They knocked out Preston North End and Leeds United in the opening two rounds of the competition, although both results were decided on penalties.
While things are looking good in the Cup competitions, Salford City have made a difficult start to their League Two campaign. They are currently 17th on the standings and travel to Bolton with three defeats in their last four league matches.
Salford City have also been poor travellers this season having lost two of their last three away matches, failing to secure in both defeats. Neil Wood’s men head into Tuesday’s clash off the back of a 1-0 loss to Morecambe in a League One fixture last Saturday.
How the bookies view it
Bolton Wanderers are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 13/20 by BetVictor. A victory for Salford City is valued at 16/5 by bet365, who is also offering odds of 3/1 for a draw.
Head to head
Bolton Wanderers have a superb record in this fixture, winning all four of the previous meetings with Salford City. Among their results is a 5-1 Carabao Cup victory in 2022 while they also triumphed 2-1 in a friendly back in July.
Players to watch
Dion Charles is enjoying a fantastic start to the season for Bolton Wanderers and heads into Tuesday’s clash with five goals in his last five matches across all competitions. The forward could be worth keeping an eye in to score anytime at 6/5 with bet365.
Bolton Wanderers have a solid defensive record in the EFL Trophy and with Salford City struggling for goals lately, they will be targeting a shutout on Tuesday. Ricardo has been a rock at the back for the hosts and can lead then to a clean sheet at 11/8 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye
Bolton Wanderers have won to nil in five of their last six EFL Trophy matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 21/10 by BetVictor. The hosts solid defence, combined with Salford City’s attacking problems means BTTS NO could also be considered at 23/20 with BetVictor.
Given the quality in Bolton Wanderers’ attack, a -1 handicap can also be considered at 9/5 with BetVictor.
This EFL Trophy match between Bolton Wanderers and Salford City will be played on Sep 5, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Bolton Wanderers vs Salford City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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