The draw for the first round of the 2019/20 Carabao Cup has been completed. Bolton were drawn away from home against fellow League One side Rochdale.
The tie is set to be played on the week commencing Monday, August 12, just after Wanderers’ second match of the League One season.
But just how do Bolton stack up against their first round opponents?
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Previous meetings
Wanderers have only played Rochdale twice in the last 25 years. The most recent meetings between the two sides came in the 2016/17 League One season.
That year, the honours were even as both Bolton and Rochdale picked up 1-0 wins.
Before that, Bolton’s last fixture against Rochdale came in the second round of the FA Cup in 1992/93. Bolton triumphed that day and went on to face Liverpool in the third round and subsequent replay.
The Liverpool tie that followed went down in history as third-tier Bolton overcame the FA Cup holders in a stunning 2-0 away win.
Back on topic with Rochdale though and to the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Bolton faced Rochdale for the very first time in a first round League Cup tie way back in 1969. Bolton won in a thoroughly entertaining 6-3 goal-fest.
Here’s hoping for a similar scoreline when the club’s meet this season.
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Bolton’s prospects
With pre-season yet to begin and with the club still technically in administration, as things stand, matters look bleak for Bolton.
Hopefully, the Trotters can recover over the next six weeks or so in order to compete in both League One and the early rounds of the League Cup.
With only 14 players currently on the books for Bolton, we’ll have to wait and see.