Leyton Orient and Bolton Wanderers return to competitive action with their opening fixture in League One on Saturday afternoon.
While the home side will be hoping to mount a playoff push, the visitors will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on promotion in 2023-24.
Match preview
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Having missed out on a runners-up finish on the final day of 2023-24 and then the playoff final to Oxford United, Bolton must now find a way to rediscover some momentum.
Ian Evatt described their performance at Wembley as their worst of the campaign and it was difficult to disagree as they were comprehensively nullified in attack.
Although there has not been an over-reaction in the transfer market, some shrewd-looking signings have been made, including that of veteran midfielder Scott Arfield.
Hungary international Szabolcs Schon also looks an interesting signing on the left, while the hope is that former Crawley Town star Klaidi Lolos will relish the step up in class.
Bolton have faced a range of opposition in recent weeks, the most notable result being a 1-1 draw at home to Italian giants Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient head into this campaign on the back of posting a respectable 11th-placed finish in their first season back in the third tier.
Richie Wellens continues to do an outstanding job at Brisbane Road, the hope now being that a stronger pursuit of a playoff place can be made.
There have been some notable incomings and outgoings, with the signings of Everton midfielder Lewis Warrington and Leeds United forward Sonny Perkins perhaps the most eye-catching arrivals.
Of their pre-season results, an early win over Hearts was the most high-profile, before the first team concluded the schedule with a 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.
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Team News
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With a win and clean sheet against Dagenham & Redbridge, Wellens may stick with the Leyton Orient XI from that friendly.
Omar Beckles and Warrington only got an hour under their belts, fewer minutes than the rest of their teammates, but they should keep their spots in defence and midfield respectively.
Evatt made no changes to Bolton's starting lineup against Port Vale until the 64th minute, an indication that he has settled on his side for Saturday.
Bolton dominated large portions of that contest, one in which Arfield and Schon were among the debutants, and it should ensure that new signing Jay Matete will only be named on the substitutes' bench.
Last season's top goalscorer Dion Charles missed a number of weeks during pre-season, only returning as a substitute in that game, and will also likely feature among the replacements.
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Clare, Beckles, Happe, James, Brown, Warrington, O'Neill, Galbraith, Kelman, Agyei
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Dacres-Cogley, Santos, Toal, Iredale; Thomason, Sheehan, Arfield; Adeboyejo, Collins, Schon
We say: Leyton Orient 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
There is a cloud of uncertainty over how Bolton will perform this season given how close they came to a return to the second tier. Nevertheless, we must respect the quality that remains in the squad, leading us to predict a hard-fought victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
