Bolton Wanderers have had a pretty shocking start to the 2015/16 Championship campaign. They currently sit rock bottom of the Championship table and are yet to record a win. Wanderers are also the only team in the Football League who are yet to hit the back of the net. However, strikers Stephen Dobbie, Emile Heskey, Gary Madine among others can be dangerous on their day. They started the season off with a respectable 0-0 draw at home to title favorites Derby County. However, Wanderers have failed to build on this and have suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Burton Albion, a 3-0 drubbing away to Middlesborough and a 1-0 defeat away to newly promoted MK Dons. Neil Lennon in the build up to the game has stated that performances have been good and if they continue playing as they are they will pick up results. Wanderers fans will hope they get off the mark on Saturday afternoon and get some revenge on unpopular former manager Freedman. In comparison, Forest have had a mixed start to the season but will be hoping to build on two promising performances in the previous week at the City Ground. Forest recorded their first win at home to Rotherham next week and followed that up with a 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic. The performance against Charlton was particularly encouraging especially youngsters Oliver Burke, Jorge Grant and Tyler Walker who were all given a chance to shine. If Forest can secure three points against Wanderers it will be seen as a very good start to the season for the Reds.
Matt Mills celebrates scoring his first goal for the Reds against Rotherham United at the City Ground last weekend.
Forest face more injury concerns following a quick flurry of games. Jamie Ward has been ruled out for the next four to six weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up midweek versus Charlton. Dexter Blackstock will also face a late fitness test before the trip to Lancashire. However, after a turbulent week Forest are boosted by the fact Henri Lansbury and Michail Antonio are both still at the club following a huge amount of speculation. Lansbury's future has officially been resolved but for Antonio it is still unknown whether he will remain at the club before the transfer window slams shut. Forest also boosted their squad by adding box to box midfielder Kyle Ebecilio to their ranks on a season-long loan from FC Twente.
My score prediction for this match is Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Nottingham Forest. I think Freedman will get the players fired up for this one as he will also want to get one over his former club just like he did back in February. I also wouldn't put it past Matt Mills getting on the score sheet as I'm sure he is also desperate to impress. I also think Wanderers are a team low on confidence and I believe Forest can take advantage of this and should be full of hope after their performance against Charlton on Tuesday evening.
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