Bolton Wanderers take on Middlesbrough this Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship at the Riverside Stadium. With that said, bwfc.co.uk have picked out five talking point ahead of the fixture.
1. A game to remember
Looking back into the history of this fixture and bwfc.co.uk are taking you back to April 19, 2008.
Current Wanderers captain David Wheater was starting for the opposing side this day, with fellow current Whites defender Jonathan Grounds named on the substitutes for Boro.
With the Teessiders peppering Ali Al-Habsi’s goal for the majority of the first half, the second period brought a different story to the table.
Just after the hour mark, a corner was whipped into the area and Gary Cahill was left unmarked only yards from goal.
But then, after the defender’s effort was saved initially, Gavin McCann followed to poke the ball into the net to secure three points for Gary Megson’s team.
To see the goal, click on the link below:
2. New faces
Since the last time we faced the team from the North-East, there have been some notable arrivals at the club.
A defensive duo of Aden Flint and Paddy McNair were the first to be brought in by Tony Pulis on July 1.
Coming in from Bristol City, Flint comes off the back of one his most impressive seasons as a professional footballer from a goals perspective.
He managed nine goals from centre back in 46 games, which included a goal against Premier League champions Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Joining from regional rivals Sunderland, Northern Ireland international McNair also had a fruitful campaign in front of goal last season for the Black Cats, with five goals in 16 Championship games.
As well as this, McNair has featured in six games for Boro so far this campaign.
Looking into the midfield and George Saville was brought in from Millwall on an initial loan, with a permanent deal being made in January for the Northern Ireland international.
A Chelsea youth graduate, Saville is no stranger to this division. Prior to his move to the Riverside, the tenacious midfielder applied his trade at Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as the aforementioned Millwall.
In the striking department, Jordan Hugill joined on loan from West Ham United for the 2018/19 campaign.
A Middlesbrough native, Hugill’s rise in football was most notable during his spell at Preston North End from 2014 to 2018.
With just over 100 appearances in the league and 23 goals to go with it, frontman Hugill earned himself a move to the Hammers in January 2018 for a reported £8 million.
3. Undefeated on the road
Wanderers come into this fixture on the back of an impressive away record since the start of the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship season.
With games against West Bromwich Albion, Reading and neighbours Preston North End behind them, Phil Parkinson’s men are still unbeaten away from home in the league.
Taking seven points from a possible 12 on their travels, the Whites have the opportunity to keep this run going when they take on Middlesbrough on Wednesday evening.
4. Opponent’s current form
Currently, Middlesbrough sit in fourth place in the Sky Bet Championship on 14 points.
They started the campaign off in sizzling fashion, finishing unbeaten for the entire month of August and took maximum points from four of their six league games in that month.
However, since the international break, Tony Pulis’s men suffered a 1-0 loss to Norwich City, with Teemu Pukki scoring the goal that brought an end to Boro’s great start.
5. Pay on the day is available
Wanderers’ supporters will be able to buy tickets from the Away Ticket Office, at the Riverside Stadium, on Wednesday night.
Tickets can be purchased on a cash only basis from 7pm onwards. There is no increase in ticket prices on the night.
Advanced sales from Bolton Wanderers are still available via the phone lines & in person at Bolton Central until 10am on Wednesday 19 September, after which time, no sales or refunds can be processed.
Official coach travel has not sold out.
Ticket Prices
- Adults - £30
- Over-65s - £20
- Under-18s - £17
How to Buy
Online – www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc
Phone – 0844 871 2932 (option 2 then option 1)
In Person – Visit Bolton Central