Wigan vs Bolton
24 August 1945hrs
Football – England – League Cup
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 9/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 23 August
It’s an all League One clash and local derby in the second round of the League Cup as Wigan and Bolton attempt to continue in the competition and gain the early bragging rights in the north-west.
Table of Contents
Wigan Preview – Will Wigan make home advantage count and make it into the next round?
After defying the odds last season Wigan will have their sights set on winning promotion to the Championship. The Latics were virtually stripped of all their best players after administration and relegation the previous campaign but still managed to survive. Now, with a year of rebuilding and a more settled look to the squad there is expectations that they can challenge for the playoffs at the very least.
Liam Richardson’s team have started the League One season with seven points from their first four matches. An opening day defeat away to Sunderland didn’t set them back as they have since beaten Rotherham and unlucky only to get a point against Wycombe at home before impressively seeing off Charlton away at the weekend.
Wigan had a difficult task in the first round of this competition when drawn away to a Hull team who won League One last season. They overcame that, however, winning on penalties and giving themselves a good chance of reaching the next round with this home tie.
Will Keane and Callum Lang were important for Wigan last season combining for 19 goals in the league. Both strikers have gotten off the mark this season already and will look to form an even more formidable partnership this time around.
Bolton Preview – Can Bolton continue their good start to the season with a victory over a local rival?
Bolton are no stranger to off-field problems of their own and found themselves in League Two last season as a result of them. They managed to win promotion and return to the third tier at the first time of asking. It’s also been a really positive start to this season as they are unbeaten in the league and negotiated the first round of the League Cup.
Ian Evatt is using the experience gained at Barrow well in this role and although it’s his first at this level they are showing plenty of capability. The 2-1 win at home to Oxford on Saturday has seen them move to eight points following entertaining 3-3 draws with MK Dons AFC Wimbledon as well as another victory away to Lincoln.
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Two strikers at different stages of their careers are showing the way for Wanderers. Veteran Eoin Doyle was their top scorer last season with 19 and has already got two this season. His team-mate Oladapo Afolayan only managed one in the league last season but has also hit twice in the early part of this season.
The duo were also on target in the 4-1 win over Crawley in the last round of this competition which sets them up for this tie.
Wigan vs Bolton Betting Advice
These two teams do not like each other and the supporters will be looking forward to a first meeting between the sides since Wigan thumped Bolton in 2018/19 – the season Bolton were relegated from the Championship.
Whilst a push for the playoffs will be the main objective for both managers they will also know the value of a good cup run, especially when playing a local rival.
Key Facts – Wigan vs Bolton Betting Tip
- Wigan picked up a good win in the last round when knocking Championship Hull out after penalties
- Bolton are unbeaten so far this season and have won their last two games in the league
- This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2019 (a 5-2 win for Wigan)
There’s been no shortage of goals in Bolton’s games so far. Their games in the league are averaging four goals in them and they hit as many themselves in the last round. Wigan are not quite as extravagant but this game looks ripe for a few so take over 2.5 goals. Both teams are also likely to find the net.
Best Betting Odds for Wigan vs Bolton
