Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

• In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
• Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
• The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
• Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
• Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals