Bolton v Lincoln City

Bolton vs Lincoln Preview

Another team that will be keen to go one step better this season in League One are Saturday's hosts, Bolton Wanderers, who suffered a 2-1 defeat on aggregate at the hands of Barnsley in last season's League One play-off semi-final, and they start their new campaign with this upcoming home fixture with Lincoln City at the newly named Toughsheet Community Stadium.

However, Bolton Wanderers may have turned out to be their own worst enemies as The Trotters managed to capture just five wins from their final 14 matches of last season (including their play-off tie with Barnsley) and although Bolton put together an impressive five-match winning streak previously, they ended with just two home wins in their last six matches.

Goals have also been in short supply in their own backyard as eight out of Bolton Wanderers' last 10 home games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals, while the hosts have also contributed to the low goal-tally having kept five clean sheets within that period as well.

Lincoln City finished last season's League One campaign in a comfortable mid-table position of 11th place and The Imps enjoyed a pretty successful run-in towards the end of last season as the visitors were dealt only two defeats in their final nine games of last term, namely, losses to Burton Albion and Morecambe.

However, Lincoln also registered five wins within this encouraging period of results which included impressive wins on the road at promoted side, Plymouth Argyle 2-0 and a 2-0 win at ninth-placed Wycombe Wanderers, so the visitors are certainly no pushovers in the third tier.

Results away from home indicated Lincoln were no mugs on the road towards the end of last season as The Imps lost just three of their last 11 outings on their travels which included an earlier 3-0 win on the road at Accrington Stanley as well, while six of Lincoln City's last 10 away games also resulted in Under 2.5 goals being scored which also included Lincoln keeping four clean sheets too.

Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City Verdict

Bolton Wanderers have enjoyed the better of previous exchanges against their visitors, Lincoln City, as The Trotters have won three of the last four encounters but as this is the first game of the season, it may be best to opt for the goals market - indeed, three of the last four meetings between these two side have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals being scored.

Bolton Wanderers are priced as outright favourites for this clash but the opening day of the season can produce some upsets so it may be best to delve into the goals market.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.65

Other side bets worth considering:

Lincoln City win @ 5.00

Correct score: Lincoln City 1-0 @ 11.00