Derby vs Bolton Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Derby vs Bolton Game Preview

Derby host Bolton at Pride Park on Friday night in an English Championship matchup that doubles as the Rams' annual Remembrance game, and the home side badly need a response.

Derby are in freefall. Tuesday's 4-0 home thrashing by Norwich extended a winless run, and the Rams now sit seven points adrift of safety.

Bolton arrive with a lift. Sam Dalby's first-half strike sealed a 1-0 win at Charlton on Tuesday, snapping a winless streak and giving the Trotters something to build on.

History favors Derby at home, though. The Rams have won their last six home games against Bolton in all competitions, a streak that now collides head-on with their current slump.

Derby vs Bolton Recent Results

Derby have failed to win their last 10 games in the Championship. Tuesday's Norwich collapse was the low point, with the defense shredded before halftime. Carlton Morris remains the main outlet, having attempted 2+ shots seven times across his last 10 Championship outings, but finishing has been a real problem for this group.

Bolton have won 4 of their last 10 games against all opponents, which is middling output for a lower-half side. Their best weapons are the counterattack and shots from distance, and Sam Dalby leads the line after his winner at Charlton. Josh Sheehan's fitness in midfield is the big question.

Derby vs Bolton Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Derby: Patrick Agyemang (Injured/out), Eiran Cashin (Injured/out), Charlie Taylor (Injured/out), Derry John Murkin (Injured/out), Matt Clarke (Injured/out), David Ozoh (Injured/out), Craig Forsyth (Injured/out), Sondre Langås (Injured/out), Joe Ward (Injured/doubtful), Sam Szmodics (Injured/doubtful)

Bolton: Jayden Nelson (Injured/out), Eoin Toal (Injured/out), Atsuki Ito (Injured/out), John McAtee (Injured/out), Ryan Hardie (Injured/out), Ethan Erhahon (Injured/out), Gavin Bazunu (Injured/doubtful), Josh Sheehan (Injured/doubtful)

Derby

Right-back Joe Ward is doubtful after missing the Norwich game with a back issue, and Derby will also assess Sam Szmodics after he picked up an injury on Tuesday night. The good news is that Jack Robinson, Lewis Travis and Mohammed Fuseini could all be recalled.

Bolton

Atsuki Ito is out of contention after suffering an injury on Tuesday, but Josh Sheehan hopes to be fit in time for the trip to Pride Park. Thierry Gale, Gaizka Larrazabal and Rúben Rodrigues could all start in the Derby vs Bolton lineups.

Derby vs Bolton Predicted Lineup

Derby

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable: Jacob Widell Zetterström; Max Johnston, Jack Robinson, Dion Sanderson, Ryan Nyambe; Alex Mowatt, Lewis Travis; Mohammed Fuseini, Oscar Fraulo, Bobby Clark; Carlton Morris

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable: Jack Bonham; Max Conway, Chris Forino, Akin Famewo, Gaizka Larrazabal; Xavier Simons, Josh Sheehan; Thierry Gale, Rúben Rodrigues, Samuel Iling-Junior; Sam Dalby

Derby vs Bolton Key Stats & Game Facts

• Derby have had 16+ shots in 6 out of 9 games against Bolton in the Championship.
• There have been 27+ shots taken in 5 of Bolton's last 6 games in the Championship.
• Sam Dalby has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances in the Championship.
• Ryan Nyambe has been carded in 2 of his last 3 appearances in the Championship.
• Jack Robinson has made 4+ tackles in 4 of his last 7 appearances against Bolton in the Championship.

Derby vs Bolton Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our Derby vs Bolton prediction is a 2-1 win for Bolton. The projections lean toward the Trotters by the slimmest of margins, and their price has shortened since the market opened while Derby's has drifted. Derby's home record in this matchup is a genuine counterweight, but a side this low on confidence, and this easy to carve open, is hard to trust. Bolton's counterattacking threat suits a game where the hosts have to come forward, and Bolton at +188 (Polymarket) is the side we want.

Best Picks

Bobby Clark to have over 3.5 shots in the Player Shots market. He is a regular starter on Derby's right of the attacking midfield three. This one sits in the Player Shots market, and the projection rates it at 29.5%, well above what the sportsbook price implies. Derby build through wide, cross-heavy play at home, and if they are chasing the game as we expect, plenty of that volume ends with Clark pulling the trigger.

Rhian Brewster to commit over 1.5 fouls in the Player Fouls market. This is a Player Fouls market pick, and the projection puts it at 33.7%, comfortably clear of the sportsbook's implied probability. Two near-equal sides scrapping for points tends to produce plenty of stoppages, and Derby's aggressive style should only raise the temperature.

Derby vs Bolton Same Game Parlay

Our Derby vs Bolton same game parlay picks combine a Shane Duffy card, Sam Dalby on target, Bobby Clark shots and Bolton or Tie in the Double Chance market.

Shane Duffy has been carded in each of his last 3 appearances against Bolton in the Championship. That disciplinary pattern against the Trotters puts the To Be Shown A Card market at the front of this ticket.

Across his last 7 appearances in the Championship, Sam Dalby has put 1+ shots on target six times. His Player Shots On Target line is a smart way to attack a leaky Derby defense.

Bobby Clark has reached 3+ shot attempts in five Championship appearances out of his previous eight. His Player Shots line fits a Derby side that figures to spend long stretches chasing.

Bolton or Tie in the Double Chance market backs our prediction, with the Trotters sitting six places above Derby in the standings. It still gets paid if Derby scrap out a point.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Derby vs Bolton Talking Points

All the pressure is on Derby. John Eustace has demanded that his side "put pride back in the shirt," and another defeat here could end his tenure. Steven Schumacher insists he is "not fooled" by the standings and has warned his players about the quality and experience in the Rams' squad. Bolton also face a quick turnaround after traveling back from Charlton on Tuesday night, so their legs late on are worth watching. The Derby vs Bolton betting odds have the hosts a touch shorter at +175 (Polymarket), which looks too short for a side in this slump. The tie at +260 (Polymarket) is the more sensible fallback for anyone who still trusts Derby's home record in this matchup.

Derby vs Bolton Predictions FAQs

When is the Derby vs Bolton English Championship game?

The game is on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT.

Where is Derby vs Bolton being played?

The game is being played at Pride Park Stadium in Derby.

What formation are Derby and Bolton expected to use?

Both Derby and Bolton are predicted to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Which Derby players are injured or doubtful?

Injured: Patrick Agyemang, Eiran Cashin, Charlie Taylor, Derry John Murkin, Matt Clarke, David Ozoh, Craig Forsyth and Sondre Langås. Doubtful: Joe Ward and Sam Szmodics.

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