League One Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town - Analysis and Insights

The League One season is now in full flow, and has already thrown up surprises, shocks and drama at every turn.

In one of the mouth watering ties of the approaching weekend, last season’s play-off finalists Bolton Wanderers take on a Huddersfield side who are competing in League One for the first time since 2012, after a poor season saw them relegated from the Championship in May.

Having confirmed the signing of striker Freddie Ladapo yesterday, the season is looking unexpectedly positive for the Terrier’s at least at this stage.

Fire up the highlight reel 🎞️#htafc pic.twitter.com/HoRJcVnFGh

— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) September 10, 2024

As the tie edges closer, we take a deeper dive into both sides, investigating lineups, strategies, key players and absences that could affect the outcome of the match.

Bolton vs Huddersfield Recent Form

Having lost in the play-off final to Oxford United last season, many were tipping Bolton to go a step further this year and propel themselves back into the Championship. However, so far, their season has not been going to plan.

Their season started off solidly enough, as they beat Leyton Orient 2-1 in their opening fixture before conquering Mansfield in the Carabao Cup with the help of a penalty shootout. However, no league wins have followed, with a draw to leaders Wrexham and defeats to Charlton Athletic and Exeter seeing them on four points after four games, in 18th position.

There are things that are genuinely unmissable and then there is Leyton Orient playing Bolton on tv pic.twitter.com/HQiYQsLKCg

— Justin (@JUZZ3R) August 9, 2024

There is consolation in the fact that they have reached the Carabao Cup third round after beating Shrewsbury Town 2-0, and they have also got off to a winning start in the EFL Trophy with a 3-2 victory over Barrow.

But after exceeding expectations last season in reaching the play-off final, Bolton will have their sights set on achieving that again, and require drastic improvement in the near future.

Huddersfield have had the start to the season that Bolton wish they had. Winning three on the bounce at the start of the season, they overwhelmed Peterborough, Stevenage and Shrewsbury Town before suffering their first league defeat at the hands of Rotherham, which leaves them currently lying on nine points in 7th, one point outside the play-off spots.

They also beat Morecambe 3-0 in their Carabao Cup second round match, but were beaten by League Two side Walsall in the third round, while also losing their first EFL Trophy group stage match to Doncaster 2-1.

While their cup form has left much to be desired, Huddersfield have got off to a flier in the league, and will hope their current good form continues against a sub-par Bolton.

Bolton vs Huddersfield Recent Meetings

• 06/01/2018: Bolton 1-2 Huddersfield.
• 02/01/2016: Bolton 0-2 Huddersfield.
• 19/09/2015: Huddersfield 4-1 Bolton.
• 28/12/2014: Huddersfield 2-1 Bolton.
• 29/11/2014: Bolton 1-0 Huddersfield.

Bolton vs Huddersfield Team News

Bolton could be missing a number of names, although the severity of various injuries are yet to be confirmed. Jordi Osei-Tutu was substituted in the first half of Boltons win over Barrow with a knock, while striker Victor Adeboyejo has been sidelined after feeling discomfort after a particularly violent sneeze (no I’m not joking).

Bolton Wanderers striker Victor Adeboyejo has been sidelined by an unusual injury caused by a powerful sneeze! 😲

The 26-year-old Nigerian experienced discomfort in his ribcage and back following the sneeze, which kept him out of an EFL Trophy match on Tuesday. 🤧

[@ESPNAfrica] pic.twitter.com/2F82liv7nL

— Attacking Football (@AttackingFooty) September 5, 2024

Midfielder Scott Arfield is also missing after going off in the Carabao Cup meeting with Shrewsbury Town.

Huddersfield will be missing Daniel Ward after his sending off in their last league game against Rotherham, while Brodie Spencer is still ruled out after injury in their win over Shrewsbury. Josh Ruffels will also miss out after coming off limping against Doncaster.

Bolton vs Huddersfield Predicted Lineups

• Bolton (3-4-3): Baxter (GK), Forino, Santos, Johnston, Dacres-Cogley, Dempsey, Thomason, Sheehan, Schon, Collins, Charles.
• Huddersfield (3-1-4-2): Nicholls (GK), Lees, Helik, Lonwijk, Hogg, Sorensen, Evans, Wiles, Miller, Marshall, Koroma.

Bolton vs Huddersfield Player to Watch

Huddersfields’ Josh Koroma is a man in form. With two goals and an assist in his last four games, he is making serious contributions at the business end of the pitch for his side.

A relatively slight figure, Koroma has electric pace which he uses to propel himself in behind opposing defenders, leaving a trail of smoke in his tracks.

Against a mostly physical Bolton backline containing the likes of Ricardo Santos, Koroma’s pace could be worth his weight in golf for this fixture, and he will likely be Huddersfield’s chief goal threat if they are able to persist with turning the Bolton defenders towards their own goal.