Oldham vs Bolton - Friendlies Clubs

The history between Oldham and Bolton lends this Friendlies Clubs fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on July 21, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both Oldham and Bolton will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Friendlies Clubs. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Their 3-0 win over Nice takes them up to second spot in the fledgling Ligue 1 table.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Oldham will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Bolton's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. Schalke were third bottom for possession in winning the second tier, let alone facing Bayern.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. Manchester City are currently in negotiations to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after his impressive World Cup displays.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Friendlies Clubs standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.