Bolton Wanderers open their Carabao Cup campaign with a home game against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Bolton Wanderers have had a promising start to the 2025/26 season, with a comfortable win against Plymouth Argyle last time out. BWFC put in a good performance against Stockport County too, despite losing 2-0.
The Trotters’ actions in the transfer market, as well as impressive performances in pre-season, have led many to believe they could be favourites for promotion this season, in a very competitive League One season.
Last weekend saw Amario Cozier-Duberry and Max Conway impress yet again after shining in the opening fixture as well, and there is excitement building over many of the players available to Steven Schumacher. Whether his side can battle on multiple fronts and mount a cup run too though, it remains to be seen.
Image courtesy of: ED SYKES/REUTERS.
On the other side of the coin, Sheffield Wednesday go into the Carabao Cup game off the back of a 2-1 loss away to Leicester City. Wednesday took the lead, but Wout Faes scored a late winner to earn three points for the former Premier League winners.
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Barry Bannan will miss the trip to Bolton Wanderers after picking up two yellow cards against the Foxes, leaving his side very light on players amid their troubles off the pitch.
Bolton Wanderers team news
Saturday’s match saw Charlie Warren return to action after picking up a wrist injury in pre-season; the winger played just seven minutes off the bench and still had visible strapping on his left arm.
Thierry Gale made his first start of the season against Plymouth Argyle, as he wasn’t deemed fit enough to play 90 minutes in the League One opener against Stockport County.
Image courtesy of: LEE SMITH/REUTERS.
Sam Dalby and Richard Taylor appear to still be unavailable for Bolton Wanderers after picking up injuries in pre-season, but Schumacher will be hoping the duo return as soon as possible to bolster his promotion efforts.
Otherwise though, it appears there are no fresh injury problems to contend with.
Predicted XI
(4-2-3-1)
Broome; Dacres-Cogley, Forino, Johnston, Conway; Erhahon, Morley; Cozier-Duberry, Randall, Mendes-Gomes; McAtee
With a big game against Barnsley on the weekend, Bolton Wanderers boss Schumacher could look to rest the majority of his first-team players, with the priority being getting out of League One, rather than a good cup run in the Carabao Cup.
The Sheffield Wednesday tie could be the perfect opportunity to give Nathan Broome his debut in between the sticks, with Ethan Erhahon also being given his first start since he joined BWFC from Lincoln City.
After starting the first two matches, Mason Burstow could be given a rest from the starting lineup, allowing Schumacher to trial McAtee through the middle, after his 15-minute centre forward cameo against Plymouth Argyle.
‘A real issue’ – Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction: The72