Bolton vs Everton: Team news, predicted line-up, how to watch
Everton will look to make it two wins from two in pre-season when they play Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The Toffees got their pre-season campaign off in some style last weekend, thumping Scottish Premiership side Dundee 4-0.
Beto, Dwight McNeil, Thierno Barry and Harvey Foster were all on the scoresheet, as David Moyes looks to start finalising his squad plans for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Everton and Bolton last met in a pre-season friendly on 25 July 2023, with the score ending in a goalless draw that day.
The two sides haven't met in a competitive fixture since January 2013, when the Toffees ran out 2-1 winners in an FA Cup tie thanks to goals from Steven Pienaar and Johnny Heitinga.
So, ahead of their latest meeting, Goodison News has you covered with everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's 3pm kick-off at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Bolton Wanderers: How have they fared in pre-season and what can Everton expect?
After years of near misses, Bolton finally won promotion back to the Championship last season with a play-off final win over Stockport County.
Steven Schumacher's side finished fifth in League One last term, losing just nine times and scoring 70 goals on their way to promotion.
Wanderers typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Schumacher did also deploy his side in a back three at times in 2025-26.
They are now without two of their best players from last season though, with top scorer Mason Burstow and arguably their standout player, Amario Cozier-Duberry, back at parent clubs Hull and Brighton respectively.
As such, their main threat now comes from striker Sam Dalby, who scored 14 times and provided eight assists in 51 total appearances last year.
Bolton opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 loss to Slovakian side DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda on 17 July, and they will play Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night before they host Everton on Saturday.
So, how might Everton line-up against Wanderers this weekend?
Everton predicted line-up vs Bolton
We know that Moyes routinely plays with a 4-2-3-1, and that's what we of course anticipate Everton to go with against Bolton.
In goal, Mark Travers is likely to start once again as he did against Dundee, with James Tarkowski and Michael Keane to get the nod at centre-back.
Left-back should see Adam Aznou in from the start again, whilst 19-year-old George Finney could be handed a start at right-back.
Goodison News has covered the aforementioned Foster's impressive performance against Dundee, and so we're backing Moyes to hand him a start in central midfield alongside a first Everton start for Hayden Hackney.
On the right, Tyler Dibling looks set to get some more minutes in the tank, whilst 18-year-old Braiden Graham deserves a starting opportunity on the left.
Harrison Armstrong could be trialled in the number 10 role, and this could also be a good chance to see how Tyrique George does when leading the line as the striker.
It should be a good game between these two sides, but how can Everton fans tune into the action?
How to watch Bolton vs Everton
Everton fans have sold out their away allocation for the trip to Bolton, and so Moyes' men will be getting a strong backing in Greater Manchester.
However, if you're not part of the Toffees' travelling army this weekend, then fear not, as you will still be able to watch the game if you so choose.
One-time match passes are available to purchase for each of Everton's away pre-season games this summer, with those costing £5.99 per fixture and streamed live on evertontv.
Fans can purchase a bundle package for £25 too, which unlocks a match pass for every single one of Everton's away pre-season games, with season ticket holders and Forever Blue+ members getting a discounted price of £20.