Read our Bolton vs Stoke prediction with betting tips, odds, and expected lineups as both sides clash in the Championship. Get the best betting angle now.
Bolton vs Stoke Match Summary
Competition | English Championship |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 10 October 2026 |
Match Time | 15:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Bolton, Toughsheet Community Stadium |
Steven Schumacher meets his old club when Bolton vs Stoke kicks off in the Championship, and the visitors have sold out an away allocation of more than 4,600.
Bolton arrive buoyant. The newly promoted side answered a four-match losing streak with back-to-back Championship wins, capped by Atsuki Ito's decisive goal in a wild game at Norwich.
Stoke are the form side. Mark Robins' team have taken 13 of the last 15 points available. That run has lifted them to seventh in the table.
History leans the same way. Stoke are unbeaten in their last five matches against Bolton in all competitions. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three in all competitions too.
Bolton vs Stoke Form
Bolton have finally found a pulse, beating Cardiff and then edging a wild one at Norwich for back-to-back Championship wins. Their games are rarely quiet: there have been 4+ goals in 4 of Bolton's last 5 Championship matches. Thierry Gale is the standout, with a goal to his name in two of his last three top-flight outings, though the back line remains leaky.
Stoke arrive unbeaten in their last five Championship matches, a run that has carried them up the table and given Mark Robins a side brimming with confidence. Jack McGlynn has provided the creative spark, finding the net twice in his last three appearances for the club, while George Hirst could be recalled to lead the line.
Bolton vs Stoke Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Bolton: L. Stephenson (Injured/out), L. Brunt (Injured/out)
Stoke: B. Lawal (Injured/out), S. Ingelsson (Injured/out), A. Cresswell (Injured/out), E. Galbraith (Injured/doubtful), A. Ampah (Unfit)
Bolton
Steven Schumacher could recall Samuel Iling-Junior and Atsuki Ito, with no further changes expected after the impressive win over Norwich. L. Stephenson and L. Brunt are both injured, and the probable Bolton vs Stoke lineups have the hosts in a 4-2-3-1 with Dalby leading the line.
Stoke
Bae Jun-Ho is back from international duty and available, while Ethan Galbraith will be assessed after returning from international duty with a knock. Bosun Lawal, S. Ingelsson and A. Cresswell are injured and A. Ampah is unfit. Mark Robins could recall George Hirst to the starting XI in a probable 3-4-2-1.
Bolton vs Stoke Predicted Lineup
Bolton
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Bazunu; Larrazabal, Davies, Toal, Conway; Sheehan, Erhahon; Iling-Junior, Ito, Gale; Dalby (probable)
Stoke
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Johansson; Graham, Talovierov, Wilmot; Johnson, Devenny, Soumaré, Bocat; McGlynn, Cissé; Hirst (probable)
Check out all the latest oddschecker Free Bets & Sign-Up Offers for Bolton vs Stoke.
Bolton vs Stoke Key Stats & Match Facts
Stoke have won three of the previous meetings between the sides. Bolton have won one, with the rest drawn.
Bolton have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Stoke in all competitions.
There have been 9+ shots on target in 5 of Bolton's last 5 Championship matches.
Bolton have conceded 15 goals in eight Championship matches this season.
Stoke sit four points outside the automatic promotion places in the Championship.
Bolton vs Stoke Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Bolton 1-2 Stoke. The Bolton vs Stoke betting odds make the visitors 8/5 (Betfred) favourites, and that feels about right. Bolton's attack will cause problems in a fixture where neither side is good at protecting a lead, but Stoke carry more quality and more momentum into a lively afternoon.
Best Bets
Stoke to win in the Win Market. The model makes the visitors the favourites at Bolton. Robins' side sit well above the newly promoted hosts in the table and the price looks a shade generous for the better team. Bolton are prone to individual errors, and Stoke have players who can conjure chances on their own.
Both Teams To Score: Yes. The model projects about 2.5 goals, with Bolton on 1.2 and Stoke on 1.33. Stoke's recent clean sheets against Bolton are the counter-argument, but this Bolton side has been peppering the target and their win at Norwich showed they can find the net. That makes it the second of our Bolton vs Stoke best bets, alongside the away win.
Bolton vs Stoke Bet Builder
Our Bolton vs Stoke bet builder tips combine an Ethan Galbraith card, a Ben Johnson shot on target, a Jack McGlynn goal and over 3.5 goals for a bigger-priced four-leg punt.
Ethan Galbraith has picked up a booking in three of his previous five Championship outings, and Stoke play an aggressive game. He will be assessed for a knock, so check he starts.
Ben Johnson has managed at least one shot on target in all four of his Championship games this season, and he gets forward from the right of Stoke's midfield four.
Jack McGlynn has been among the goals lately, scoring twice in his last three outings in the division, and he faces a Bolton defence that has been leaking goals all season.
There have been 4+ goals scored in 4 of Bolton's last 5 Championship matches. Their games have been messy, and this leg leans into that for the bigger price.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 60/1 and is as short as 50/1 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Bolton vs Stoke Talking Points
The subplot is Steven Schumacher. He kept Stoke in the Championship during his spell in charge before leaving in September 2024, then took Bolton up from League One. He has no regrets: "It didn't work out, but I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I am sat in this chair wearing this badge because of what happened at Stoke and I wouldn't be here if it didn't." On the pitch, Bolton are direct, happy to go long and dangerous on the counter, while Stoke are aggressive and like to work the ball through the middle. Neither side is great at protecting a lead, which points to goals at both ends, but Stoke's form and their record against Bolton are why our Bolton vs Stoke prediction sides with the visitors.
Bolton vs Stoke Predictions FAQs
When is the Bolton vs Stoke English Championship game?
The match takes place on Saturday, 10 October 2026, kicking off at 15:00 UK time.
Where is Bolton vs Stoke being played?
The match is being played at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton.
What competition is Bolton vs Stoke in?
Bolton vs Stoke is an English Championship fixture.
Disclaimer
Important information: This article may contain links to betting offers or promotions for Bolton vs Stoke that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired, changed, or no longer be available.
Oddschecker offers are selected from operators that our football experts work with regularly and have first-hand experience of. If you open an account via one of these links, Oddschecker may earn commission. This helps support our coverage and allows us to continue producing expert analysis and football content across English Championship.
Please gamble responsibly. 18+.
