It is League One up against the Championship in the first round of the Carabao Cup as Bolton welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Wednesday night. Both teams come into this clash off the back of contrasting results in their respective divisions.
Indeed, Bolton beat Plymouth 2-0 at home last time out, while Wednesday lost 2-1 away at Leicester. Nonetheless, this could be a tie where we could well see a potential upset on the cards, with a place in the second round at stake.
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Bolton vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction: Penalties to be played?
Key stats
- Bolton have won six of their last seven games in total in all competitions.
- Wednesday are winless in three matches across all competitions.
- Wednesday's last four games have seen both teams score.
Correct score prediction: Bolton 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Given Bolton's superior form and the troubles surrounding Wednesday at the moment, we are expecting the home side to get a positive result. This game would go to a penalty shootout if there was a draw in normal time, and if this was the case, then we would back Bolton to progress into the next round of the competition.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bolton surprisingly big favourites with bookmakers?
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.0%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
It is interesting to see from the implied probabilities that despite Bolton being in a lower division than Wednesday, they are big favourites to win on home soil and progress into the next round. A draw in normal time can be backed at 20%, while a Wednesday win on their travels is given less than a 17% chance.
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Most recent H2Hs: Wednesday on top
Wednesday are actually unbeaten in the last seven H2Hs in all competitions, winning four of the previous six meetings. This should give the Owls some form of encouragement heading to Bolton.
England League 1 17/03/23
Sheff Wed
Bolton
England League 1 20/08/22
Bolton
Sheff Wed
England League 1 09/04/22
Bolton
Sheff Wed
England League 1 09/10/21
Sheff Wed
Bolton
England Championship 12/03/19
Bolton
Sheff Wed
Bolton preview: No fresh injury concerns
Bolton boast no new injury concerns or suspensions heading into this clash. Although they may be tempted to rotate, the Wanderers are still expected to name a strong starting XI in order to try and get the job done in normal time on home soil.
Predicted lineup: Sharman-Lowe (GK), Osei-Tutu, Toal, Johnston, Conway, Sheehan, Randall, Simons, Cozier-Duberry, Burstow & McAtee
England League 1 03/05/25
D
Stevenage
1
Bolton
1
England League 1 26/04/25
D
Peterborough
1
Bolton
1
England League 1 21/04/25
L
Lincoln City
4
Bolton
2
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Wycombe
2
Bolton
0
England League 1 12/04/25
L
Barnsley
4
Bolton
1
Sheffield Wednesday preview: Bannan suspended
Captain Barry Bannan will serve a suspension here after getting himself sent off for two yellow card offences against Leicester last time out, while Nathaniel Chalobah was forced off in the first half with an injury shortly after scoring the opening goal. The Owls cannot really afford to rotate too much, given that they do not have many senior players available to them in the squad at this moment in time.
Predicted lineup: Charles (GK), Valery, Iorfa, Otegbayo, Loew, Palmer, Ingelsson, Fusire, McNeill, Cadamarteri & Lowe
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Watford
1
Sheff Wed
1
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Portsmouth
1
Sheff Wed
1
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Middlesbrough
1
Sheff Wed
2
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Stoke
2
Sheff Wed
0
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Oxford Utd
1
Sheff Wed
0
Player to watch: Mason Burstow
Mason Burstow should be expected to start for Bolton against Wednesday after scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win for them at home to Plymouth last time out. The forward should cause the Owls plenty of problems on the night.