Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
Two sides who will open their respective EFL Trophy adventures on Tuesday night, Bolton will travel to Cumbria when they meet Barrow.
Barrow
Starting with the hosts, while Barrow might have suffered real frustration last season as they eventually missed out on a shock play-off ticket, the Bluebirds took plenty of positives away from what was a hugely impressive campaign. Springing an EFL Cup upset on August 27th as they edged past Derby thanks to a penalties victory in Cumbria, Stephen Clemence’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Putting in another eye-catching performance over the weekend as they landed a 1-0 win away at Harrogate, the former Gillingham boss has his sights set on clinching a top-seven finish this time around. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2024/25 campaign and mustering nine points from their first four League Two appearances, Barrow have also impressed with their extended defensive resolve. In fact, Clemence’s side have not shipped a single goal in over 300 minutes of action.
Team News
Hit with a double injury blow ahead of their trip to Harrogate over the weekend, Barrow are once again expected to be without the duo of Connor Mahoney and defender Rory Feely on Tuesday night. Arriving from Barnsley on a season-long loan deal, Andrew Dallas will be hoping to get some more minutes.
Notching two goals across all competitions since opening up the new campaign, 25-year-old Gerard Garner will spearhead Barrow’s charge in the final third. Bagging a maiden strike away at Harrogate over the weekend, Wigan loanee Neo Eccleston will keep his spot at right-back.
Bolton
As for the visitors, suffering play-off heartbreak at Wembley back in May as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Oxford United, Bolton have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around. However, while the Trotters might have opened the new campaign pencilled in as a leading promotion contender, Ian Evatt’s men have drastically struggled to find any kind of momentum. Putting in another worrying performance over the weekend as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at home against Exeter, Tuesday’s guests have come under some mounting scrutiny. Mustering just a single point from any of their last three League One appearances, Evatt will also have a real headache over his side’s recent struggles in the final third. Including another 2-0 defeat against Charlton on August 24th, the Trotters have drawn a blank in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions.
Team News
Missing out at home against Exeter last weekend through a hamstring injury, Bolton will once again be without the services of former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield on Tuesday night. Likewise, dealing with a recent glute issue, Eoin Toal is seen as a doubt in Cumbria.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench and only making a second-half cameo appearance on Saturday afternoon, one-time Chelsea starlet Victor Adeboyejo could be handed a full recall here. Northern Ireland international Luke Southwood should return between the sticks.
Key Factors to Consider
