Bolton Wanderers take on Preston North End this Saturday in the Sky Bet Championship at Deepdale. With that in mind, bwfc.co.uk have picked out five talking points ahead of the fixture.
1. A moment to remember...
With a local derby against Preston North End this weekend to look forward to, it would be rude to not have a look back in the annals of Wanderers’ history and show the 2001 First Division Play-off Final.
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was the scene and it was the Whites versus the Lilywhites for a place in the top flight of English football, with legends such as Nat Lofthouse and Sir Tom Finney in attendance as the Trotters ran out 3-0 winners.
There have been many memorable encounters between the Whites and their Preston counterparts down the years, with a selection of goals from those clashes available to watch on iFollow BWFC by CLICKING HERE.
2. Fresh faces at Deepdale
During the summer transfer window, North End have added a number of new signings to their club.
With Greg Cunningham leaving Deepdale to join Premier League side Cardiff City, Andrew Hughes was brought in from Peterborough United.
Hughes started his career at Newport County, where he spent eight years as a professional and made over a century of appearances.
He moved to Peterborough United in 2016, before Alex Neil came calling and promptly snapped the defender up on a three-year deal this past transfer window.
Although he will not be involved tomorrow due to picking up a red card in the Carabao Cup against Leeds United, Ryan Ledson joined the ranks from Oxford United for an undisclosed fee.
Capped all the way up to England Under 20 level, the tough tackling midfielder is a product of the Everton youth academy and made his first team debut for the Toffees in the UEFA Europa League against FC Krasnodar in December 2014.
Currently the club’s top goal scorer in all competitions for this season, Irishman Graham Burke joined from Shamrock Rovers.
Initially a product of Aston Villa’s development program, the 24-year-old found it difficult to break into the Villans first team, before moving to Notts County after a successful emergency loan with the Magpies in 2015.
The current Republic of Ireland international signed for his hometown club Shamrock Rovers in February 2017 and became the first Rovers player in over 25 years to score four goals in one game,
He scored 13 goals in the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2018, which was only bettered by Patrick Hoban of Dundalk.
Joining on loan from Manchester City meanwhile are duo Lukas Nmecha and Brandon Barker.
Both attacking threats, they have played in various youth levels for England in their career so far.
Each player already have accolades to their name also, as Barker was named Manchester City’s EDS Player of the Year for 2013/14.
Nmecha has honours at international level, winning the UEFA Under 19 European Championship and the 2018 Toulon Tournament with England.
3. Unbeaten on the road in the Sky Bet Championship
Wanderers have their third away league trip of the season coming up tomorrow, with an impressive away record to show off for this stage of the season.
Having played recently relegated West Bromwich Albion as well as Reading, Phil Parkinson’s men have taken six points out of six on their travels.
And with the international break on the horizon, the Whites will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at Deepdale on Saturday.
4. Pay on the day option
Bolton Wanderers supporters will be able to buy tickets on the day of the game for this Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Preston North End.
They will be able to purchase them from 1pm onwards, via debit/credit card or cash, at the Away Ticket Office ahead of the 3pm kick-off at Deepdale.
Wanderers supporters who have organised for their tickets to be sent to Deepdale for collection or those picking up duplicate requests will also need to head for the Away Ticket Office.
Advanced sales from Bolton Wanderers are no longer available via the phone lines or in person at Bolton Central, with no sales or refunds able to be processed.
Prices
Adults: £24
Over-65s: £16
Full-time students & apprentices (aged 22-24): £15
Under-22s: £15
Under-19s: £8
Under-11s: £2 (Must be accompanied by an over 18)
Official coach travel is available, costing £11 per person. Official bus travel is also available, costing £5 per person.
All coaches and buses depart from University Of Bolton Stadium at 12:45pm.
5. Opponents' current form
When looking at Preston’s start to the season, they currently sit 20th after five games.
With a victory against Queens Park Rangers on the opening day, Alex Neil’s side then faced a rough patch with only one point coming from their last four league games.
Having said that, the Lilywhites have been successful in the Carabao Cup with them dispatching of current Sky Bet Championship leaders Leeds United by two goals to nil in the second round in midweek, with goals coming from Daniel Johnson and loanee Brandon Barker.