Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English League One match.
Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are piecing together a top-six push after a sluggish start, while Noel Hunt’s Reading are still searching for their first points of the season to avoid being rooted to the bottom by the end of August.
Bolton Wanderers
The hosts had a decent pre-season but have yet to find real rhythm: a 2:0 win over Plymouth Argyle, a League Cup elimination on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday, and a 1:1 draw with Barnsley. That leaves them on four points and sitting 13th. At home, however, Bolton Wanderers remain particularly dangerous after the break, and recent head-to-heads against Reading at the Toughsheet have been emphatic — back-to-back 5:2 wins. Squad availability is strong, with no major injuries, allowing them to maintain tempo and pressing intensity.
Reading
The team’s start has been grim, with three straight league defeats and only a League Cup win over Portsmouth offering any respite. Their latest outing against AFC Wimbledon (1:2) exposed issues against simple vertical passes, free kicks and corners. Possession has not been a problem, but their build-up play is slow and predictable. Noel Hunt insists on high pressing and quick transitions, but defensively the numbers are worrying: two goals conceded in every league match so far.
Bolton Wanderers vs Reading Prediction
The balance tilts towards Bolton Wanderers, who look fresher and more varied in attack, while Reading continue to leak goals from open play and free kicks and corners. Head-to-head form also favours the hosts after those two 5:2 home wins. Expect a pragmatic display: Bolton controlling the tempo and applying pressure, with Reading relying on occasional counters.
