After a pleasing start to the 2023/24 campaign, Wanderers embark on their first away trip of the season with a visit to Cheltenham Town.
Opening-day success for the Whites was followed up by a victory against a stubborn Barrow side in the Carabao Cup in mid-week thanks to Zac Ashworth’s first senior career goal.
In front of a sold-out away end at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, Ian Evatt’s men will now be keen to match those performances and put their first away points in League One on the board against a Cheltenham side still to get off the mark.
Manager quotes
Ian Evatt:
“It’s only two games in. We’ve made a solid and we want to cement that on Saturday.
“We know exactly what we’re going into and we know exactly what’s required. It’s just down to our focus now to make sure we execute on the day.
“We’ve had spells there where we haven’t executed on the day. But you must remember we’ve won two of the last three games there. It’s not that much of a bogey ground. We’ve actually done okay there."
Cheltenham manager Wade Elliott:
"Bolton have had a very good start. They were excellent against Lincoln and 3-0 was a fair reflection.
“They played Barrow on Tuesday, made eight changes and it didn't really lessen the quality to be honest. We know Bolton from playing them for a few seasons now and they've always been very good.
“We won't look at last season's result as having any bearing on this one, but you know from history we are confident that if we are at it, we can give anyone a game.
“We are at home, we want to be playing the likes of Bolton Wanderers, so we'll be giving it a right good go.”
Team News
Wanderers are getting close to a clean bill of health – bar long-term absentee George Johnston.
Defender Eoin Toal and striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson are nearing a return as boss Ian Evatt weighs up their return to the squad.
Cheltenham lost record EFL goalscorer Alfie May to Charlton in the summer and are still looking to do more transfer business before the window closes.
In the shorter term, the Robins are expected to be without injured frontmen George Lloyd and Will Goodwin and midfielder Elliot Bonds.
Form guide
Wanderers have won their opening two games in league and cup without conceding a goal.
The Whites secured nine away wins and seven draws on the road in League One last season.
Cheltenham won eight and drew eight of their 23 home league fixtures last season on the way to a 16th-place finish, a comfortable nine points above the drop zone.
Their pre-season schedule provided promising signs for Wade Elliott’s side as they, like Wanderers, beat West Bromwich Albion, drew against Bristol City and recorded a series of wins against local lower league sides.
The Robins’ season started with a 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury last weekend before a 2-0 loss at home to Championship side Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
Officials:
Referee: David Rock
Assistant referees: Andrew Aylott and Andy Bennett
Fourth Official: Niall Smith
Kick-off:
Saturday, 3pm
Tickets
1,520 Wanderers fans will pack into a sold out away end this Saturday to cheer on the lads.
Coverage:
Supporters living outside of the UK can watch the game live via Wanderers TV with a match pass, which can be purchased HERE
Alternatively, UK supporters can listen to live full match commentary on Wanderers TV HERE.