Bolton Wanderers vs Salford City Prediction 05.09.2023

• Competition: England - EFL Trophy
• Date: Tuesday, 5th, September 2023
• Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20.45 CEST
• Venue: Toughsheet Community Stadium (Bolton)

Tuesday is the day when Bolton Wanderers commence their mission to retain the EFL Trophy, and it all begins with a home fixture against fourth-tier side Salford City at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Though the Premier League era has long passed for Bolton, their remarkable achievement last season, characterized by a resounding 4-0 win over Plymouth in the final, allowed them to proudly raise the EFL Trophy for the first time in their club's history. Motivated by the desire to keep the crown on their heads, the Trotters will strive to overcome the obstacles presented by Group E, which includes not just Salford City but also Stockport and Manchester United Under-21.

The team facing Bolton is no stranger to EFL Trophy glory, as they had their moment in the spotlight not too long ago during the 2019-20 season when they triumphed over Portsmouth with a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout. Their trophy cabinet houses only a single memento, that of their triumphant EFL Trophy win, and as they step onto the pitch on Wednesday, they carry the hope of upsetting the reigning champions.  Their source of inspiration lies in their recent outstanding performance in the EFL Cup, where they caused a major upset by ousting Leeds, a Premier League side, in a thrilling penalty shootout that ended 9-8.

Bolton Wanderers vs Salford City Betting Tips: Bolton to Win

While their jaw-dropping triumph over Leeds in a penalty shootout catapulted them into the EFL Cup's third round for the first time in history, Salford's recent dismal form is casting a shadow of doubt over their upcoming Tuesday clash. They've only managed to snatch victory once in their last seven competitive games during the regular 90 minutes. Despite this historic milestone, the Ammies are continuing to stumble through their domestic campaign, with their disheartening 0-1 loss to Morecambe marking their third defeat in the last four League Two fixtures.

Meanwhile, Bolton has received a confidence boost ahead of their EFL Trophy title defense, as they overcame Derby County with a 2-1 at home over the weekend, despite trailing by a goal initially. What's also giving Bolton a strong tailwind is their exceptional head-to-head record against Salford, having emerged victorious in all four of their past meetings, including a devastating 5-1 win in last season's first-round EFL Cup clash. With the sizzle of home-field advantage and a medley of other factors simmering in their favor, the Trotters are poised to begin their EFL Trophy title defense in a succulently promising manner.