Bolton Wanderers vs Leeds United Predictions, Betting Tips and Preview

It’s been one of the weirdest pre-season build ups with ever witnessed at Elland Road. Normality ensued, and Leeds look solid. Bolton have their work cut out as Championship newcomers this year, but the foundations are there for the trotters to progress themselves.

Game: Bolton Wanderers vs Leeds United

Venue: Macron Stadium

Kick-off: Sunday, 6th August, 4.30pm

When Massimo Cellino introduced Andrea Radrizzani to the fold last year, few could have predicted the madcap Italian would have a remotely stable business acquaintance, let alone introduce a breath of fresh air that would go on to oust over a decade of misery. Because that’s exactly what Andrea Radrizzani has done for Leeds United in the space of three months. Elland Road is home, there’s serious on and off field investment, and season ticket sales are at a record (outside of the Premier League) high.

Bolton Wanderers stay in League One was a brief one and the Trotters looked likely promotion candidates from early on in the season. It’s not an easy league to escape, but it was clear Bolton’s defence belonged in the championship at least, and they always had the youth, hunger and goals to hurt teams going in the other directions. It’ll be a big step up having played at the pace of League One teams last year, but Bolton look better placed than most promoted clubs.

The first game of the season is always a tough one to call. Leeds have a wealth of new experience and international talent and anything other than a top six finish this season will be deemed as a slight failure. But it does take time for things to gel together. Bolton already have a gelled core and whilst they may be underdogs often early in the season, there’s no greater leveller than passion and desire, and the Macron crowd should instill plenty of that in their players on Sunday. See all of our Predictions and betting tips on the left hand side of this screen. 

Bolton Wanderers are 9/5 with Sky Bet whilst the draw is available at best odds 40/17 with 188Bet whilst visiting Leeds United are the favourites at 8/5 with Betfred.

The big challenge for both sides here is remaining organised at the back. Leeds are without Pontus Jansson for this tie and also in search of a fullback and centre back still. Bolton are a well drilled unit and they’ll have players who will relish the physical battle with Chris Wood, but they’ll need to adjust to the many ways teams can hurt you at this level.

In Roofe, Hernandez, Wood and Alioski, Leeds have international experience, sheer blistering pace and skill and a hell of a lot of goals at this level in them. League One is a bit more a case of dealing with collective, hard working units and the odd tops marksman, and that was something Bolton were always too good to be troubled by. This season will be a very new challenge and it may just take some time to adjust.

Again, it’ll take Bolton some time to work out how to manage games and break teams down at this level, but regardless of which league they’re in they’ve shown themselves to be very organised at the back recently. The same can be said for Leeds on their best days, although they’ll be hoping to not require quite as many clean sheets this season. It’s early in the season here and both teams could spend a long time feeling one another out in this game.

Back our Score Prediction: 1-0 Leeds win at odds of 15/2 with Paddy Power

Everyone is aware of the threat Chris Wood poses and I think Bolton will pay special attention to him. Wheather in particular is a player capable dealing with Wood. But the Trotters have their own hitman at this level in Adam le Fondre - a player we should point out almost always scores against Leeds. But this could be a tight one and it might just take a magical moment of individual skill to settle it. Pre-season and all things considered, Ezjgan Alioski looks as dangerous as anyone in the championship.

Back our Scorer Prediction: Alioski to score at 10/3 with Bet365