In-form Saints host Bolton after back-to-back clean sheets
Bolton Wanderers travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton on Saturday, 17 October 2026, in round 11 of the Championship. Tonda Eckert’s side are seventh with 16 points despite starting the season with a four-point deduction, and they won 1-0 at Norwich on Wednesday for their first away league win. Bolton are 14th on 13 points after a 3-1 win at Wolves on Tuesday. Kick-off is at 16:00, with Matt Donohue the referee.
“He is one of the best players in the division, if not the best player in the division.” – Bolton head coach Steven Schumacher on Southampton’s Finn Azaz
Predicted lineups: Southampton vs Bolton
Southampton are waiting on Flynn Downes, who has an ankle ligament problem. Eckert said Downes wanted to be strapped up and play, but he is a doubt. Cameron Bragg is back from suspension, and Cyle Larin, James Bree and Leo Scienza could all return to the side. Bolton have no new injuries after Molineux, though Chris Forino is out with a groin problem. Schumacher admitted there will be some tired bodies after the midweek win.
Southampton Team News & Preview
Southampton have won four of their last five league games, the only defeat coming 2-1 at Wrexham. They beat Swansea, now top of the table, 3-1 at home and then kept back-to-back clean sheets against Portsmouth and Norwich. Eckert made four changes at Carrow Road and still got the win, thanks to Kuryu Matsuki’s goal.
Larin has seven league goals, and Schumacher called Finn Azaz one of the best players in the division. On points won on the pitch, Southampton would be much closer to the top of the table.
What works for or against Southampton
- Four wins from their last five league games.
- Back-to-back clean sheets.
- Larin has seven league goals.
- Downes is a doubt with an ankle injury.
Bolton Wanderers Team News & Preview
Bolton’s away form has been good lately. They won 4-3 at Norwich and 3-1 at Wolves on Tuesday, with Atsuki Ito, Sam Dalby and Josh Sheehan scoring at Molineux, and they are trying to win three away league games in a row for the first time in the Championship since 2013. At home, they lost 3-2 to West Ham.
Schumacher was full of praise for Southampton and said his side cannot afford to switch off against a top team. Bolton have conceded 18 goals in ten games, and Wolves created plenty of chances on Tuesday.
What works for or against Bolton
- Won 4-3 at Norwich and 3-1 at Wolves.
- One extra day of rest after playing on Tuesday.
- 18 goals conceded in ten league games.
- Lost 4-0 at Millwall earlier this season.
Southampton vs Bolton Odds
Southampton vs. Bolton Stats Comparison
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Southampton vs. Bolton Form Guide
Southampton Form, Stats & Data
Southampton score 2.1 goals per game and concede one, the second-best attack in the division. At St Mary’s they have beaten Swansea 3-1, Bristol City 4-1, Portsmouth 1-0 and Millwall 5-1.
Bolton Form, Stats & Data
Bolton score 1.5 goals per game but concede 1.8. Their games have been open: they won 4-3 at Norwich and 3-1 at Wolves, but also lost 4-0 at Millwall.
Southampton vs Bolton: Prediction & Betting Tip
Southampton are in strong form, have kept back-to-back clean sheets and have scored three or more in three of their home wins. Bolton have conceded 18 goals in ten games and are on their third game in a week. I am happy to back Southampton to win.
The best argument the other way is Bolton’s away form. They have just won at Norwich and Wolves, they had an extra day to recover, and Southampton may be without Downes in midfield. If Bolton score first, this could be awkward for the hosts. I still think Southampton have more quality.
So it is Southampton to win at 1.42 with Winz for me, and I expect a 3-1 scoreline.