Bolton Wanderers host Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup tonight.
Bolton Wanderers welcome Middlesbrough to the The Toughsheet Community Stadium this evening, for either sides’ second game in this season’s Carabao Cup.
The Trotters have started the season well, taking 10 points from their opening five games in League One, being held to a 1-1 draw away at Burton Albion over the weekend.
Middlesbrough meanwhile have started very poorly. Michael Carrick’s men have just one point to their name from their opening four Championship fixtures, with a cup win over Huddersfield Town earlier in the month being their only win of the season.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
Luke Phelps
“Middlesbrough are really struggling right now. They’re a shadow of the side they were last season and they now face a Bolton side who’ve started well, and who’ll be right up for testing themselves against Championship opposition.
“Ian Evatt’s Bolton can be very formidable at home and after losing their winning streak in the last two games, they’ll want a return to winning ways before they return to League One action.
“Middlesbrough will be desperate to win this one to keep some kind of belief, but I really fancy Bolton to get one over Boro, who are conceding for fun right now.”
Score prediction: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Middlesbrough
Thomas Kelly-Hansford
“Bolton Wanderers started the season in fine form, but their previous two results hint towards them beginning to stall slightly. However, they do have the quality and they’ll expect themselves to be right in this clash.
“Boro haven’t started well at all. Once again they find themselves in the relegation zone to start the season. This time Carrick’s side have failed to win in their first four and another loss here could really send them spiralling in the wrong direction.
“Neither side have won in the past combined six outings and that suggests this game will be far from vintage. But, it’s also the perfect opportunity for someone to get back to winning ways.”
Score prediction: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Middlesbrough
