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Bolton and Everton will continue their preparations for the 2026-27 campaign when they meet at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday, July 25.
This will be Bolton's third friendly in the space of eight days after Steven Schumacher's side began pre-season with a 2-1 defeat to FC DAC 1904 before responding with a 3-1 victory over Oldham Athletic.
Everton, meanwhile, have only played one warm-up match so far, but David Moyes' side made an impressive start with a 4-0 victory over Dundee, with Beto, Thierno Barry, Harvey Foster and Dwight McNeil all getting on the scoresheet.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Bolton v Everton key stats
- The two sides last met in a goalless friendly in July 2023.
- The last competitive meeting between Bolton and Everton came in the FA Cup in January 2013, with the Toffees winning 2-1.
- Only four teams collected more away points than David Moyes' Everton last season, with the Toffees picking up 26 on the road.
- Bolton will play Championship football for the first time since their relegation from the second tier in 2019.
Bolton v Everton preview: Toffees to continue strong start to pre-season?
Bolton v Everton — Tale of the Tape
| Bolton | vs | Everton |
|---|---|---|
| 5th (League One – Promoted via playoffs) | Position | 13th (Premier League) |
| 75 | Points | 49 |
| 70 | Goals For | 47 |
| 52 | Goals Against | 50 |
| 11 | Clean Sheets | 11 |
| 3rd / 3rd | Home / Away Rank | 14th / 7th |
After finishing fifth in League One last season, Bolton secured their place in the playoffs before overcoming Bradford City across two legs in the semi-finals with successive narrow 1-0 victories.
That set up a Wembley final against Stockport County, where Schumacher's side produced a dominant display to secure promotion back to the Championship for the first time in seven years.
A Ruben Rodrigues brace, a Kyle Wootton own goal and a Sam Dalby scissor kick sealed a memorable 4-1 victory, ending Bolton's five-year stay in the third tier.
With a return to a higher standard of football ahead, survival will be the immediate priority for the Wanderers, who have already looked to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Bolton have made five additions so far this summer, with Luca Stephenson, David Watson, Ben Davies, Akin Famewo and Kyliane Dong arriving to improve their chances of competing in the Championship.
As for Everton, their 49-point haul last season saw them narrowly miss out on European football by four points.
The Toffees will be aiming to improve on that tally in Moyes' second full season back at the club, and they have already begun adding further quality ahead of the new campaign.
Merlin Rohl, who spent last season on loan from Freiburg, has made his move permanent, while Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George have also arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton have also been linked with further additions, including versatile defender Djed Spence and Australian forward Nestory Irankunda.
Their 4-0 victory over Dundee provided the perfect start to pre-season, although a packed schedule awaits with Stoke City, Hamburger SV, Stuttgart, Newcastle United and Lille all still to come after Saturday's meeting with Bolton.
Everton will begin their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on August 22, while Bolton's return to the Championship starts with a home fixture against Preston North End following an EFL Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday the week before.
Bolton v Everton form guide & betting tips
| Bolton | vs | Everton |
|---|---|---|
WWWLW |
Form | DDLLW |
| 10 | Goals For | 10 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 9 |
LW |
Friendlies | W |
Whispers predicts: Bolton 1-3 Everton
Although there are no official odds available for this fixture, we can still assess how the game may unfold based on both sides' early pre-season performances.
Both teams have been involved in entertaining matches during the summer, and we expect another open encounter at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, making Both Teams to Score – Yes a strong option.
Tyrique George featured for 61 minutes during his first Everton appearance and should be given more opportunities to impress here, with the young forward capable of making an impact against Championship opposition.
*odds unavailable at time of writing
> BTTS Yes – odds unavailable
> Over 3.5 goals – odds unavailable
> Correct score: 1-3 – odds unavailable