Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City: Preview: Form, Team News and More!

August 22, 2025 Darragh Tracy Bolton, League One, Lincoln City, Matches, Previews 0

Credit Graham Burrell

Encouraged by three wins from four games, the Imps will head to the Toughsheet Stadium looking to extend their strong start against a Bolton side still searching for some early season momentum.

Bolton Wanderers Form

Now entering their fifth consecutive season in League One, Bolton Wanderers find themselves in their strongest position since relegation from the Championship in 2019. Manager Steven Schumacher boasts a proven track record at this level, and with shrewd summer recruitment already in place, many Trotters fans believe this could be the campaign that sees them return to the second tier.

The Trotters kicked off their 25/26 campaign away to Stockport County, a side who, like Bolton, have their eyes set on the very top of this league. The Hatters took a lead late in the first half through Malik Mothersille, and doubled their advantage with five minutes to go through Kyle Wotton. Bolton fell to a 2-0 defeat at Edgeley Park, just lacking the clinical edge needed to take points from their fellow Manchester side.                                                                    
Wanderers bounced back immediately the following weekend, dispatching a dispirited Plymouth Argyle team 2-0 courtesy of goals from Eoin Toal and Mason Burstow. A trip to a revitalised Barnsley came next, which proved to be another tough test on the road. After going 1-0 down, Wanderers showed good resolve to get back into the game and take a point back home. During the week, Bolton were held by Reading, as despite having enough chances to win two games of football, a late Royals goal saw the two sides share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Team News

Credit Graham Burrell

For Bolton, Jack Iredale has returned to full training and could be available for selection soon, while Richard Taylor is continuing his recovery from a groin injury and will feature in a B Team match against Preston. Sam Dalby is also working his way back after missing pre-season, but may feature on the weekend. In the meantime, Max Conway has impressed at left-back, stepping up effectively during Taylor’s absence.

With some new incomings, Michael Skubala’s squad is looking the bulkiest it has all season. Frankie Okoronkwo is likely to take his place in the matchday squad after penning a loan deal with City last week, and Ivan Varfolomeev, who signed from Slovan Liberec yesterday, may come on from the bench to make his Lincoln debut at the Toughsheet Stadium.

Usual absentees in Dom Jefferies and Lewis Montsma will remain side-lined, as Adam Jackson returns from his suspension after serving his three game ban.  Jack Moylan is set to be out until the new year with an ankle injury he picked up at Harrogate.

Match Referee

REFEREE: JACOB MILES
Linesmen: Paul Stonier and Anthony Moore
Fourth Official: Andrew Miller

Jacob Miles is fairly new to the EFL scene, debuting in the Football League on the opening day of last season. During that term, Miles presided over 40 league matches, with 21 taking place in the third tier. In these games, he gave out 79 yellow cards, seven reds and pointed to the spot four times.

Miles last officiated a Lincoln City match in April, when the Imps secured a 4–2 win over Bolton Wanderers. That day, Miles booked three players, sent a Bolton player off and awarded a spot-kick to City.

Previous Meetings

Credit Graham Burrell

City have lost each of their last four away league encounters with Bolton Wanderers, failing to find the net in their three most recent visits to the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Their last trip to Manchester ended in a 3–0 defeat, compounded by the dismissal of Ethan Erhahon—now a Bolton player—for dissent during the half-time interval. That scoreline mirrored the result from two years prior, when City were beaten 3–0 at the Toughsheet on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

The last time the two sides met was in April, when a James Collins brace, Erik Ring goal and a Reeco Hackett free kick secured a 4-2 win, City’s last of the 24/25 season.