Preston North End head to Bolton on Saturday afternoon for their opening match of the 2026-27 Championship campaign.
Preston head into their 12th consecutive Championship campaign after finishing last season firmly in mid-table, 13 points clear of relegation and 13 points adrift of the play-off places.
For Bolton, victory in the League One play-off final ended their seven-year wait to return to the Championship, which included a season in League Two and six in the third tier.
Both sides struggled in their season opening matches last weekend in the EFL Cup when taking on League One opponents.
The Trotters lost 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday and the Lilywhites needed penalties to see off Huddersfield Town after being held to a 1-1 draw.
Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End Tips Summary
Best Bet - Preston Draw no bet @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - Jusef Erabi to score anytime @ 5/2
Bet Builder - Over 3 cards in the match, Jusef Erabi 2+ shots on target & Over 10 corners @ 10/1
Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End Prediction
Best Bet: Preston Draw no bet @ 5/4
North End showed plenty of character to progress in the EFL Cup despite playing with 10 men for 69 minutes against Huddersfield.
Paul Heckingbottom's side fell behind at Goodison Park but refused to give up, with new signing Jusef Erabi equalising in stoppage time before Delano Burgzorg converted the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Erabi's arrival could also give Preston an added attacking threat this season, with the Swedish striker bringing 48 goals from 174 senior appearances.
Bolton, meanwhile, have added experienced Championship striker Ryan Hardie on loan from Wrexham, reuniting him with Steven Schumacher.
However, their attack remains a work in progress and the squad appears weaker this season than it did in their promotion-winning campaign last time out.
They lost 1-0 to League One outfit Wednesday in the EFL Cup last weekend and created chances without finding a way through.
With both sides still finding their feet, Preston draw no bet provides some protection while backing the visitors to claim victory.
Alternative Bet: Jusef Erabi to score anytime @ 5/2
New Lilywhites signing Jusef Erabi made a mark during his debut appearance for the club, netting in injury time to take his side through to a penalty shootout before smashing in his own effort from the spot.
Erabi played just 18 minutes of the EFL Cup tie, coming on as a late substitute, but the Swede is sure to get a start this weekend after making such a positive impression and an extra week training with his new team-mates.
Erabi struggled to make an impact for Genk in the Belgian Pro League last season, but his record in Sweden with Hammarby was a solid one and, if he can bring that form to the Championship, he could be a fine signing for the Lilywhites.
After being handed the No.9 shirt and a strong debut, big things are expected in Preston from the Swede.
Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End Bet Builder Tip
Over 3 cards in the match
Jusef Erabi 2+ shots on target
Over 10 corners
Pays 10/1
Both sides picked up two bookings apiece in their EFL Cup matches and each had a man sent off.
Given the high number of fouls the two sides committed last weekend, backing the referee to show to four or more cards in this clash looks like a shrewd move.
Erabi had just 18 minutes of action for Preston last weekend and was spearheading a team with only ten players after a first-half red card for defender Lewis Gibson.
In his limited time on the field, Erabi netted the equaliser and managed two shots on target.
The Swede is set to start this match after proving his match sharpness following his loan move from Genk and, given the full 90 minutes to make his mark, suggesting the striker is more than capable of having two or more shots on target in this match.
Both teams were involved in entertaining games in the first round of the EFL Cup with corners aplenty in the two ties.
Bolton's clash with the Owls saw 11 corners awarded, while Preston versus Huddersfield had 13, making 11 or more in this clash a strong possibility.
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Key Match Stats
Preston North End finished mid-table in the Championship last season, 13 points clear of relegation and 13 points off the play-offs
Bolton beat Stockport County 4-1 in the League One play-off final to secure their return to the Championship after seven years away
The last competitive meeting between the pair saw Preston run out 2-1 winners at Bolton
Preston are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches against Bolton, recording three wins and four draws
Bolton lost their opening match of the season 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup
Preston drew 1-1 with Huddersfield Town despite playing with 10 men for 69 minutes, before winning a penalty shootout
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
