Bolton vs Sheffield Utd predictions, betting tips & match preview

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Macron Stadium

Bolton

Sheffield United

We head into the new League One season with Bolton playing hosts to Sheffield United. Last season Bolton finished bottom of The Championship. They were a staggering 19 points away from safety. Head coaches Jimmy Phillips and Phil Parkinson have expressed a desire to bring in experience during the summer break to help steady the ship and bounce Bolton back up a division.

Sheffield United remain in League One after last season’s 11th place finish. Disappointed they did not even make the play-offs. United only managed 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in their last 5 games last season – with all linked to the club wanting to do a lot better than that in the forthcoming 2016/17 season.

Bolton Have added 5 players to their 1st team squad. They have seen an exodus of players leaving though. Rob Holding has signed for a very reputable side in Arsenal. Jamie Thomas have joined Premier League new boys Burnley. While another 15 other players have joined clubs in and around The Championship or been released on free transfers.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United have added 9 players to their squad, Leon Clarke and James Wilson join from Bury and Oldham, respectively. Mark Duffy and 22 year old Jack O’Connell have also signed. Both of those players adding talent and experience as they join from squads in the leagues above. They have let a huge amount of 13 players go this summer. Ryan Flynn and Diego De Girolamo have signed for Oldham and Bristol City respectively, amongst others. Chris Wilder clearly knows what he is looking for to take that step up into The Championship by the end of this current season.

Up to now, Bolton have had a mediocre pre-season. Played 5, won 2, drew 1 and lost 2. They lost 2-1 versus Burnley at home and Mansfield Town away. They drew 0-0 to Preston away and then won the remaining 2 games at Tranmere Rovers and York City.

Sheffield United’s summer has not gone to plan ahead of being favourite’s to get promoted at 2/1 with bet365. They have played only 3 mainstream friendlies before this opening league fixture, winning 1 and losing 2. They travel to Bolton full of confidence though and really do see a great season ahead of themselves.

Bolton had very little firepower up front last season, which was a big downfall when analysing their campaign. In Zach Clough they have a youngster who can find the net but needs the service. He managed 7 goals in 28 league games, just 1 goal in every 4 matches.

Sheffield United have our favourite for the golden boot of League One this season in Billy Sharp. Providing the 30 year old stays fit through the season, we feel he could fire The Blades to a serious promotion push this year. With Sharp and Co alongside the 2 new additions, we believe The Red & White Wizards can score at the Macron Stadium on Saturday.

Therefore, our prediction for this opening fixture in League 1 is a 1-1 draw at 11/2, with Bolton proving too difficult to break down for United to score more than 1 goal. However, we believe both teams can and will score in this encounter. For this reason, we are also going for Both Teams to Score at 10/11 with bet365.