Bolton vs Salford: Predictions & Odds – Honours even between local rivals in League Two

The League Two sides clash for the first time in what will be Wellens’ first league game in charge of the Ammies.

Bolton’s fall down the leagues continues with Ian Evatt’s side sitting 20th after just one win in their last seven matches in League Two.

Last weekend, Bolton were eliminated from the FA Cup first round after going down 3-2 at home to Crewe.

Richie Wellens has enjoyed back-to-back cup successes since leaving Swindon Town to take over the reins at Salford.

Salford City will go into this meeting following a 1-2 EFL Trophy win with the eclipse of Rochdale in their most recent match.

Salford’s League Two form prior to Wellens’ appointment had seen them lose 2-1 at Cambridge most recently. That followed wins over Southend and Oldham and a draw with Crawley.  

Reason for Bolton vs Salford predictions:

• Bolton have won only two of their opening ten League Two matches.
• Salford are unbeaten under new manager Richie Wellens (all competitions). Salford have recorded all their four League Two wins to nil.
• Bolton have failed to score in five of their 11 league outings.
• Salford have drawn 2 of their last 5 matches (all competitions).
• Salford have scored 2 goals in their last 2 matches (all competitions).  

Bolton and Salford were ante-post title favourites in League Two but neither have lived up to that expectation so far and it is not easy to place maximum faith in either of the Greater Manchester rivals.

Bolton are far weaker in the final third than should be the case, which is why they have managed to win only two of their opening 11 games.

The Trotters have scored just nine goals across those 11 outings, with them hitting the net just three times in six appearances at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Goals have been less hard to come by for Salford, who have scored 16 times in ten outings, and defensively there are few more reliable with only eight goals conceded.

Bolton and Salford have never met before. Eight years ago, Bolton were playing in the Premier League while Salford were playing in the NPL Division One North at that time.

Bolton are looking for only their third victory of the season and need to get it on Friday night to ensure the gap to the Play-Off places does not become insurmountable.

Bolton have failed to score in five of their 11 league outings and with doubts about the well-being of many of their attackers, we predict Salford to win.

Our Prediction: Salford City FC 1X2 (FT) @ 2.129