Bolton Wanderers FC vs Preston North End FC, Championship 2026-27 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Bolton Wanderers FC vs Preston North End FC — Championship at University of Bolton Stadium.
- Bolton Wanderers FC 7 games · 7 pts (2026/27)
- Preston North End FC 7 games · 3 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Adam Herczeg
- Assistant 1 Sam Lewis (England)
- Assistant 2 Jacob Lehane (England)
4 games this season
🟨 2.8/game
⚽ 14.8 goals/game
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ham United FC | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | Swansea City AFC | 7 | 14 |
| 3 | West Bromwich Albion FC | 7 | 14 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough FC | 6 | 13 |
| 5 | Queens Park Rangers FC | 7 | 12 |
| 6 | Charlton Athletic FC | 7 | 12 |
| 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 6 | 11 |
| 8 | Southampton FC | 7 | 10 |
| 9 | Birmingham City FC | 7 | 10 |
| 10 | Stoke City FC | 7 | 10 |
| 11 | Bristol City FC | 6 | 10 |
| 12 | Norwich City FC | 7 | 9 |
| 13 | Millwall FC | 6 | 9 |
| 14 | Sheffield United FC | 7 | 9 |
| 15 | Blackburn Rovers FC | 7 | 8 |
| 16 | Lincoln City FC | 6 | 8 |
| 17 | Watford FC | 7 | 8 |
| 18 | Portsmouth FC | 6 | 7 |
| 19 | Wrexham AFC | 7 | 7 |
| 20 | Bolton Wanderers FC | 7 | 7 |
| 21 | Cardiff City FC | 7 | 4 |
| 22 | Derby County FC | 7 | 4 |
| 23 | Preston North End FC | 7 | 3 |
| 24 | Burnley FC | 7 | 3 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Aug | Preston North End FC | H | 2–1 | W |
| 24 May | Stockport County FC | H | 4–1 | W |
| 14 May | Bradford City AFC | A | 1–0 | W |
| 09 May | Bradford City AFC | H | 1–0 | W |
| 02 May | Luton Town FC | H | 2–3 | L |
| 25 Apr | Bradford City AFC | A | 1–1 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Aug | Bolton Wanderers FC | A | 1–2 | L |
| 02 May | Southampton FC | H | 1–3 | L |
| 25 Apr | Sheffield United FC | A | 3–2 | W |
| 22 Apr | Birmingham City FC | A | 1–2 | L |
| 18 Apr | West Bromwich Albion FC | H | 0–2 | L |
| 11 Apr | Charlton Athletic FC | A | 2–1 | W |
Season Stats
| Bolton Wanderers FC | Preston North End FC | |
|---|---|---|
| #20 | Position | #23 |
| 7 | Points | 3 |
| 7 | Played | 7 |
| 2 / 1 / 4 | W / D / L | 1 / 0 / 6 |
| 7 | Scored | 6 |
| 12 | Conceded | 13 |
| -5 | GD | -7 |
| 1.00 | PPG | 0.43 |
| 29% | Win % | 14% |
Key Stats
100%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (3 games)
H2H (3 games)
100%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
29%
Clean Sheets
Bolton Wanderers FC this season
Bolton Wanderers FC this season
0%
Clean Sheets
Preston North End FC this season
Preston North End FC this season
Bolton Wanderers FC are 20th (7 pts). Preston North End FC are 23rd (3 pts).
Goal Timing (This Season)
Bolton Wanderers FC
0-15
2/2
16-30
3/–
31-45
–/2
46-60
–/–
61-75
1/2
76+
1/6
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Preston North End FC
0-15
2/3
16-30
1/1
31-45
–/–
46-60
1/1
61-75
–/2
76+
2/5
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Top Scorers (This Season)
Bolton Wanderers FC
| Thierry Gale | 2 G | 1 A |
| Sam Dalby | 2 G |
Preston North End FC
| Callum Lang | 3 G |
| Jordan Thompson | 1 G |
| Jusef Erabi | 1 G |
Events
Match Events
- 0' The wait is over. Bolton Wanderers FC get us underway at University of Bolton Stadium.
- 5' Not even hints on scoring a goal over the last 5 minutes.
- 10' The energy levels are beginning to show. might look to freshen things up shortly.
- 13' That is a card for Preston North End FC. Alistair McCann will be fuming at that decision.
- 14' Sam Dalby makes no mistake. The score reads 1-0 and Bolton Wanderers FC are in front.
- 15' The England Sam Dalby breaks the deadlock on 15 minutes. 2-0!
- 20' With 0 assists to his name this season, Luca Stephenson is clearly more than just a goal scorer for Bolton Wanderers FC.
- 25' What a moment for Thierry Gale! That strike on 25 puts his side firmly in control.
- 27' Jordan Thompson catches the referee's attention in entirely the wrong way. card on 27.
- 32' Daniel Iversen has been relatively quiet despite scoring 3 goals in his last 14 appearances.
- 37' Preston North End FC is showing some good football. However, Preston North End FC are ready to play back every minute. It might result in some problems for the home side. The game will hardly remain goalless.
- 42' A moment of madness from Pol Valentin Sancho on 42 minutes earns him a card. Preston North End FC will be frustrated.
- 47' Supporters expect more eagerness from Josh Sheehan, as he is very good at scoring at University of Bolton Stadium with 6 goals in the last 6 games.
- 48' The referee calls foul for Josh Sheehan. He receives a card.
- 53' It is a cagey affair so far. Bolton Wanderers FC in their 4-2-3-1 trying to find a way past Preston North End FC's compact 4-2-3-1.
- 58' A tactical chess match is unfolding here. The question is which manager blinks first.
- 63' While there is no rush on the pitch, let’s have a look at some stats. Jusef Erabi made 2 appearances and scored 1 goals. He is very likely to score a goal today.
- 64' Odel Offiah has so much to prove this time. He replaces Pol Valentin Sancho on 64 minute.
- 69' Over 69 minutes have gone by without a meaningful attack. The supporters want more.
- 74' Preston North End FC are keeping things exceptionally tight at the back. It will take something special to break them down.
- 75' John McAtee makes way for Ryan Hardie at the 75 minute mark. A tactical switch from Bolton Wanderers FC.
- 76' Time for substitution for Bolton Wanderers FC. Larra is replaced by Samuel Iling-Junior.
- 79' The Preston North End FC manager makes a substitution. Delano Burgzorg departs to be replaced by Thierry Small.
- 80' Andrija Vukcevic is replacing Andrew Hughes for the Preston North End FC side.
- 82' The Bolton Wanderers FC bench stirs into life. Max Conway is withdrawn and Eoin Toal gets his opportunity.
- 85' Another substitution for Bolton Wanderers FC to replace Luca Stephenson by Lewis Brunt on 85 minute.
- 86' The deadlock is broken! Jusef Erabi gets on the scoresheet on 86 minutes.
- 86' Bolton Wanderers FC make a change. Thierry Gale trudges off to be replaced by Kyliane Dong on 86 minutes.
- 88' The referee does not hesitate — a card for Chris Forino-Joseph on 88 minutes.
- With this win, Bolton Wanderers FC is likely to improve its situation in the overall team standings.
Lineups
Bolton Wanderers FC Lineups
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 8
- 1
-
45
John McAtee ↓ Ryan Hardie 75'
- 14
- 21
-
22
Larra ↓ Samuel Iling-Junior 76'
-
11
Thierry Gale ↓ Kyliane Dong 86'
-
25
Max Conway ↓ Eoin Toal 82'
- 3
- 10
-
27
Luca Stephenson ↓ Lewis Brunt 85'
Bench
- 29
- 6
-
39
Ryan Hardie ↑ 75'
-
18
Eoin Toal ↑ 82'
- 23
-
5
Lewis Brunt ↑ 85'
-
7
Kyliane Dong ↑ 86'
-
16
Samuel Iling-Junior ↑ 76'
- 12
Preston North End FC Lineups
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 6
- 16
- 14
-
15
Jordan Thompson ↓ Leo Leroy 64'
-
10
Callum Lang ↓ Jusef Erabi 64'
- 1
-
37
Delano Burgzorg ↓ Thierry Small 79'
- 8
- 2
- 28
- 7
Bench
- –
-
3
Andrija Vukcevic ↑ 80'
-
27
Leo Leroy ↑ 64'
-
11
Thierry Small ↑ 79'
-
24
Odel Offiah ↑ 64'
- 23
-
99
Jusef Erabi ↑ 64'
- 32
- 30
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Alan Browne | 2 |
| Sammy Ameobi | 1 |
| Clayton Donaldson | 1 |
| Tom Barkhuizen | 1 |
| Thierry Gale | 1 |
| Pawel Olkowski | 1 |
| Sam Dalby | 1 |
| Sammy Ameobi | 1 |
Head to Head
Bolton Wanderers FC Form
2026-08-15
Bolton Wanderers FC
2–1
Preston North End FC
W
2026-05-24
Bolton Wanderers FC
4–1
Stockport County FC
W
2026-05-14
Bradford City AFC
0–1
Bolton Wanderers FC
W
2026-05-09
Bolton Wanderers FC
1–0
Bradford City AFC
W
2026-05-02
Bolton Wanderers FC
2–3
Luton Town FC
L
2026-04-25
Bradford City AFC
1–1
Bolton Wanderers FC
D
Preston North End FC Form
2026-08-15
Bolton Wanderers FC
2–1
Preston North End FC
L
2026-05-02
Preston North End FC
1–3
Southampton FC
L
2026-04-25
Sheffield United FC
2–3
Preston North End FC
W
2026-04-22
Birmingham City FC
2–1
Preston North End FC
L
2026-04-18
Preston North End FC
0–2
West Bromwich Albion FC
L
2026-04-11
Charlton Athletic FC
1–2
Preston North End FC
W
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
1.75
Bolton Wanderers FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.28
Preston North End FC xG
I would bet for:
Both teams to score 60% + Over 2.5 goals 57%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Bolton Wanderers FC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 3.03
Actual: Yes — both scored
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 93% |
|
7% |
| ± 1.5 | 80% |
|
20% |
| ± 2.5 | 57% |
|
43% |
| ± 3.5 | 36% |
|
64% |
| ± 4.5 | 19% |
|
81% |
Double Chance
Bolton Wanderers FC or Draw
75%
Draw or Preston North End FC
50%
Bolton Wanderers FC or Preston North End FC
75%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Bolton Wanderers FC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
11.7%
2 – 1
Actual
1 – 0
7.7%
2 – 0
7.3%
1 – 2
6.7%
0 – 0
6.5%
2 – 2
5.8%
0 – 1
5.4%
3 – 1
5.3%
3 – 0
4.2%
0 – 2
3.9%
3 – 2
3.5%
Asian Handicap — Bolton Wanderers FC
| Handicap | Bolton Wanderers FC covers | Push | Preston North End FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 12% | — | 88% |
| -2 | 12% | 15% | 74% |
| -1.5 | 26% | — | 74% |
| -1 | 26% | 21% | 53% |
| -0.5 | 47% | — | 53% |
| +0.5 | 73% | — | 27% |
| +1 | 73% | 15% | 12% |
| +1.5 | 88% | — | 12% |
| +2 | 88% | 8% | 4% |
| +2.5 | 96% | — | 4% |
Clean Sheet
Bolton Wanderers FC keeps clean sheet
29%
✓
Preston North End FC keeps clean sheet
18%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.