The new season of the Championship gets underway this weekend, which includes last season’s League One play-off winners Bolton hosting Preston at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.Bolton vs Preston betting tipsDraw and both teams to score at 15/4 with MidniteAlfie Devine to score at 3/1 with bet365Josh Sheehan to be carded at 13/5 with bet365Draw, both teams to score, Devine to score, Sheehan carded at 50/1 with bet365Bolton vs Preston predicted lineupsBolton (4-2-3-1): Bonham (GK); Stephenson, Forino, Davies, Famewo; Watson, Sheehan; Larrazabal, Rodrigues, Gale; DalbyPreston (4-3-3): Iversen (GK); Offiah, Lindsay, Hughes; Valentin, McCann, Thompson, Vukcevic; Osmajic, Devine, LangBolton vs Preston head to head overviewDate: Saturday 15th August 2026Kick-off: 12:30pmVenue: Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton, UKHow to watch: Sky Sports+Referee: Adam HerczegLast meeting: Bolton 1-2 Preston (Feb 2019, Championship)Last 10 meetings: Bolton – 4 wins; Preston – 3 wins; Draws – 3Favourite to win: Bolton – 23/20 with Sky BetBolton vs Preston predictionBolton will play their first match back in the second tier for seven years on Saturday lunchtime, as they welcome near neighbours Preston for their first game back in the Championship.Steven Schumacher’s side were an ever-present in the play-offs in League One last season from November onwards, before beating Bradford 1-0 in each leg of the play off semi finals and going on to thrash Stockport 4-1 in the final at Wembley to secure their promotion.The Trotters have signed seven new players this summer in their bid to survive relegation back to the third tier at the first time of asking, including the notable purchases of Gaizka Larrazabal, David Watson and Luca Stephenson.The Greater Manchester side enjoyed a mostly positive pre-season campaign, losing only one of their five friendlies in preparation for the new campaign, matches which include a 0-0 draw against Everton and wins over Oldham and Dutch side Breda.Bolton’s competitive season didn’t get off to the ideal start as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League One side Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, though despite the result the stats do suggest they were hard done by not to advance.Preston are embarking on their 12th consecutive season in the Championship following their 14th place finish in the last campaign, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side hoping this year might finally be the one in which they climb out of the division.Championship teams this season will benefit from there being two extra spots in the play-offs this season, with now a top eight finish in the table being required rather than a top six to extend their promotion hunt into the post-season.The Lilywhites have only finished in the top half of the Championship table once in the last seven years, but with extra impetus on teams having a higher chance of promotion from the outset this season, the club could see this campaign as a fantastic opportunity for them.Having secured the services of Alfie Devine on a permanent deal, breaking their record transfer fee in doing so, following his successful loan spell from Tottenham last season, as well the loan additions of Delano Burgzorg and Jusef Erabi in the attacking department, Preston might just back themselves to do something special this season.Heckingbottom’s side didn’t have the most ideal of pre-season campaigns, losing all four of their matches against professional opposition, but did manage to scrape through to the second round of the Carabao Cup last weekend, beating League One side Huddersfield on penalties after scoring a 93rd minute equaliser, having played more than 70 minutes of the match with 10 men.The two teams haven’t met since Bolton were last in the Championship back in 2019, with the Trotters winless in their last six matches against Preston, the Lilywhites having won on each of their last three visits to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.Preston are the favourites for Saturday’s lunchtime clash but Bolton will be fired up for their first match in the second tier in seven years, with a vociferous atmosphere expected which could result in a very entertaining clash – a thrilling 2-2 draw could be on the cards.Bolton vs Preston best betsNowt to seperate noisy neighboursBoth teams will be feeling optimistic heading into Saturday lunchtime’s match, their first in the Championship this season, with a sell out expected at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in the campaign’s curtain raiser, including 4,000 travelling away fans.Bolton will be raring to go in their first match back in the second tier since their relegation seven years ago, while Preston will fancy themselves with an outside shot for the newly expanded play-offs, which should increase teams’ chances of reaching them.With each team spurred on for different reasons, goals can be expected but don’t be surprised to see the sides go blow for blow with a stalemate the final outcome.Draw and both teams to score at 15/4 with MidniteDevine interventionPreston’s new record signing will be determined to repay his £6m fee with the currency of goal contributions, adding 16 to the Lancashire side’s tally last season while on loan from Tottenham.The attacking midfielder found the net against Sheffield Wednesday in a pre-season friendly and will be eager to repay his faith in the club and the fans after the club broke their transfer record to bring the 22-year-old back to the club on a permanent basis.Alfie Devine to score at 3/1 with bet365Sheehan sanctionedNo player in either squad was on the receiving end of more yellow cards than Bolton midfielder Josh Sheehan last season, who reached double figures for cautions throughout the campaign.The central midfielder is expected to be involved from the start tonight and will likely have a busy game in the middle of the park where his energy and tough tackling could prove crucial to the Trotters’ chances of success.Josh Sheehan to be carded at 13/5 with bet365Bolton vs Preston latest oddsFind the latest Bolton vs Preston betting odds here, odds courtesy of Sky Bet and are subject to change.Bolton – 23/20Draw – 12/5Preston – 21/10More EFL predictionsFind more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews for the start of the new season!Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. 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