Bolton Wanderers will face Everton in their third pre-season friendly this Saturday at the ToughSheet Community Stadium. Steven Schumacher’s side, fresh from League One promotion last season, will test the Toffees after wins over Dunajska Streda and Oldham Athletic.
What’s the fixture and why it matters
The Trotters kick off at 3:00 pm BST on Saturday 25 July 2026. League standing (final 2025 table - new season not yet under way): 5th in League One, 75 pts, 19W-18D-9L from 46 games, recent form LDDWL. With 70 goals scored and 52 conceded (+18 goal difference), Bolton’s pre-season build-up has focused on fitness and chemistry ahead of their Championship return. Everton arrive off a 4-0 win at Dundee, with Beto, Thierno Barry, Harvey Foster and Dwight McNeil all on target.
Everton’s team news and likely line-up
Everton are cautious with Jarrad Branthwaite, whose 2025/26 campaign was cut short by a hamstring injury. Hayden Hackney missed most of last season’s run-in and will hope to debut at Bolton. James Garner is also nursing a groin issue, while James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and Thierno Barry could start after coming off the bench at Dundee. Iliman Ndiaye, Nathan Patterson and Jordan Pickford remain absent after World Cup duty.
Everton’s predicted 4-2-3-1: Travers; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Röhl, Ireogbunam; Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil, Barry, George.
Bolton’s pre-season so far
Schumacher’s side have already faced Dunajska Streda and Oldham Athletic, with the Trotters looking to fine-tune their squad ahead of the Championship campaign. Their 4-1 play-off final thrashing of Stockport County sealed their League One promotion last season.
How to watch the pre-season friendly
The match streams live via evertontv. One-time match passes cost £5.99 per fixture. All can follow updates on the ToffeeWeb Live Forum.
