Bolton Wanderers

After a tough week of away fixtures after the September international break, we have the comfort of home for the 4 fixtures leading to the October break.

First up is Bolton on Wednesday. It is set to be an interesting line-up with injury, suspension and fitness all factors.

Keeper
With Neto cup-tied there was a chance Tommy Setford could have made his debut. However, Setford hasn't been seen since the internationals with 16 year old Jack Porter the number 3 for all games since and being on the bench for the Atalanta game. No official news on Setford, and David Raya seen limping away from the Etihad it would be a massive call to chuck Porter in. Brian Okonkwo and Alexei Rojas are other options.

Defence
Jakub Kiwior will surely start, but the fitness of Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White will impact the decisions here. Arteta may see it as a chance to get more minutes for Calafiori, who has already missed games with injury, and Timber, who just back from a long term injury has been suffering in games. If Ben White starts instead it could give an indication that Timber and Calafiori will start again against Leicester.
Myles Lewis Skelly will hopefully make his first start after debuting yesterday. Although a midfielder through much of his development, there has been a focus on him at left back in an inverted role. Another youngster, Josh Nichols, could start at right back after a decent pre-season, while Maldini Karucci and Ayden Heaven should be in the squad.

Midfield
Jorginho is surely going to start at DM, and everybody expects Ethan Nwaneri to get a chance to shine from the start. The hype around him keeps growing, with a decent cameo against Spurs. He could play centrally or wide. I have a feeling we may see Declan Rice and/or Kai Havertz start this one too. If not, Salah-Eddine may be the most likely to step up.

Up front
Raheem Sterling will surely start with Gabriel Jesus. Youngsters Ismael Kabia and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji are also in contention. Kabia was on the bench against Spurs and NBO is the August PL2 player of the month, plus he has senior experience on loan that may go in his favour. As said, another option is Nwaneri in the Saka role, or could we see the "starboy" after he was replaced at half time yesterday? Some calls for Martinelli to play to try and end his goal drought, but he was cramping yesterday too.


With half an eye on Saturdays must win, I would expect something like:
--------------Raya--------------
Nichols--White--Kiwior--MLS
-------------Jorginho-----------------
------Havertz--------Rice------------
Nwaneri------Jesus-----Steling

but I equally wouldn't be surprised to see Saliba, Gabriel, Timber and/or Calafiori.