Bolton vs Preston prediction & probabilities (2026-08-15)

Bolton vs Preston: model prediction

Championship
Bolton

LLLLL

Full time2-1Sat, 15 Aug 202612:30UK
Preston

WLLWL

Model’s top convictions

72%

Over 1.5 goals

65%

Over 8.5 corners

65%

Draw or Preston

Full time1 of 2 calls right

Bolton 2-1 Preston
✕ Result✕ Over 2.5 goals✓ Both teams to score
1 of 3 published calls on this match were right.

Our most likely call was Preston at 36.7%, and it was wrong. We called Under 2.5 at 54.5% and it missed (3 goals). We called Yes at 51.4% and it landed.

Judged against the prediction this page published before kickoff. Right or wrong, it stays on the record.

Prediction summary

Top 3 convictions

Model’s best bet
PrestonWin probability
36.7%
Top 3 convictions

Over 1.5 goals71.8%Strong chancePays @ 1.39
Over 8.5 corners65.0%Strong chancePays @ 1.54
Draw or Preston65.0%Strong chancePays @ 1.54

Model read

The probabilities barely separate Bolton and Preston on 15 August 2026: Preston nose ahead at 37%. Our number sits above the market's 28% for Preston. The gap itself is information. No strong lean on goals (46% Over 2.5). The interest, if any, lives elsewhere. Schedule edge: Bolton have had 2553 more days of rest than Preston. As a promoted side, Bolton carry exactly the structural uncertainty our priors were built for. The recent series reads 0 wins for Bolton, 2 draws and 3 for Preston over 5 games, 2.8 goals on average. The run in: Bolton arrive W0 D0 L6, Preston W2 D1 L3. Discipline says sit it out: too extreme an outsider (fair 0.28).

Value & higher-risk angles

High risk

Over 2.5 goals45.5%@ 2.20
Over 10.5 corners44.0%@ 2.27
Preston win36.7%@ 2.72
Medium risk

Under 2.5 goals54.5%@ 1.83
Over 9.5 corners54.4%@ 1.84
Both teams to score51.4%@ 1.95
Random finds

1-1 correct score13.5%@ 7.42
0-1 correct score9.8%@ 10.20
1-0 correct score9.5%@ 10.52

Lower-probability calls our model rates above the obvious price; random finds are high-return scorelines that can happen. Higher risk, not a tip; we never beat the sharp market.

Model vs market

Bolton

35.0%-9.0%

Draw

28.3%+0.3%

Preston

36.7%+8.7%

ModelMarket

too extreme an outsider (fair 0.28)

Goals markets

★ StrongestOver 1.571.8%

Strong chance

Over 2.545.5%

Reasonable chance

BTTS · Yes51.4%

Good chance

Corners markets

Over 8.565.0%

Strong chance

Over 9.554.4%

Good chance

Over 10.544.0%

Reasonable chance

Over 11.534.3%

Toss-up

Most cornersBolton61.8%Preston28.2%

Shots markets

Over 22.562.4%

Strong chance

Over 24.549.9%

Reasonable chance

Over 26.537.7%

Toss-up

Over 28.526.8%

Low chance

Totals line guide

0.5·1.571.8%2.545.5%3.5·4.5·
Our pre-match focusOver 1.571.8%

Before kick-off our call was Fairly priced. The match has been played, so this is a historical snapshot: the graded result is below.

Form & head-to-head

BoltonLLLLL
PrestonWLLWL

Last 5 meetings: Bolton 0 · 2 draws · Preston 3 · 2.8 goals/game.

2019-02-09Bolton 1-2 Preston
2018-09-01Preston 2-2 Bolton
2018-03-03Bolton 1-3 Preston
2017-11-17Preston 0-0 Bolton
2016-03-12Bolton 1-2 Preston

Referee history

Bolton
A Davies4 matches · team cards 1.8/g · match 3.3/g
S Martin4 matches · team cards 0.8/g · match 1.3/g
O Langford3 matches · team cards 1.3/g · match 1.3/g
Preston
L Smith4 matches · team cards 1.3/g · match 3.3/g
S Martin4 matches · team cards 2.5/g · match 4.8/g
A Kitchen3 matches · team cards 1.7/g · match 2.7/g

Most-seen referees this season, real match data. We never claim who officiates this fixture.

Bookmaker odds

Real bookmaker price (Bet365) next to our model fair price. Bookmaker prices include the bookmaker margin, so our margin-free fair price usually looks longer. We do not claim to beat the closing market.

BookmakerOur fair
Bolton win2.152.86
Draw3.303.53
Preston win3.302.72
Over 2.5 goals2.002.20
Under 2.5 goals1.851.83

Model fair odds

Our calibrated probability as a decimal price (1 divided by probability). A fair model price, not a bookmaker quote.

Match result

Bolton win2.86
Draw3.53
Preston win2.73
Both teams to score1.94

Goals

Over 0.5 goals1.10
Over 1.5 goals1.39
Over 2.5 goals2.20
Over 3.5 goals4.15
Bolton most2.86
Preston most2.73

Corners

Over 7.5 corners1.28
Over 8.5 corners1.48
Over 9.5 corners1.78
Over 10.5 corners2.25
Bolton most1.61
Preston most3.55

Cards

Over 2.5 cards1.44
Over 3.5 cards2.09
Over 4.5 cards3.47
Over 5.5 cards6.58
Bolton most4.18
Preston most1.80

Shots on target

Over 6.5 SoT1.46
Over 7.5 SoT1.78
Over 8.5 SoT2.30
Over 9.5 SoT3.13
Bolton most1.80
Preston most3.13

Shots

Over 22.5 shots1.60
Over 24.5 shots2.01
Over 26.5 shots2.65
Over 28.5 shots3.73
Bolton most1.50
Preston most3.61

Fouls

Over 20.5 fouls1.88
Over 22.5 fouls2.66
Over 24.5 fouls4.14
All model outcomes · full market spectrum & player markets

Shots on target

Over 6.5 68.7% Over 7.5 56.0% Over 8.5 43.4% Over 9.5 31.9%
Most: Bolton 55.6% Most: Preston 31.9%
Bolton Over 4.2 47.3% Preston Over 4.2 30.4%

Cards

Over 2.5 69.2% Over 3.5 47.9% Over 4.5 28.8%
Most: Bolton 24.0% Most: Preston 55.6%
Bolton Over 1.8 40.4% Preston Over 1.8 64.2%

Clean sheet & win to nil

Bolton clean sheet 28.2%
Preston clean sheet 29.2%
Bolton win to nil 19.3%
Preston win to nil 20.3%

Derived from the model score matrix above: a clean sheet is every scoreline where the opponent is on zero. Calibration-graded, not a tip.

Full market spectrum · model probabilities

Calibration-graded model %, no odds attached. Niche markets are transparency/coverage, not a claimed edge. Colour = measured out-of-sample calibration.

Match result & goals calibrated
1×2
home 35.0% draw 28.3% away 36.7%
double_chance
1X 63.3% 12 71.7% X2 65.0%
dnb
home 48.8% away 51.2%
btts
yes 51.4% no 48.6%
clean_sheet
home 28.2% away 29.3%
win_to_nil
home 19.3% away 20.3%
winning_margin
home_by_1 19.7% home_by_2 10.2% home_by_3plus 5.1%
away_by_1 20.3% away_by_2 10.8% away_by_3plus 5.6%
correct_score
0-0 8.9% 0-1 9.8% 0-2 6.6%
0-3 2.8% 0-4 0.9% 0-5 0.2%
1-0 9.5% 1-1 13.5% 1-2 8.1%
1-3 3.4% 1-4 1.1% 1-5 0.3%
2-0 6.2% 2-1 7.9% 2-2 5.0%
2-3 2.1% 2-4 0.7% 2-5 0.2%
3-0 2.6% 3-1 3.2% 3-2 2.0%
3-3 0.9% 3-4 0.3% 3-5 0.1%
4-0 0.8% 4-1 1.0% 4-2 0.6%
4-3 0.3% 4-4 0.1% 4-5 0.0%
5-0 0.2% 5-1 0.2% 5-2 0.2%
5-3 0.1% 5-4 0.0% 5-5 0.0%
other 0.4%
likeliest_score
h 100.0% a 100.0% p 13.5%
Goals: totals / handicap / exact calibrated
total
over_0.5 91.1% under_0.5 8.9% over_1.5 71.8%
under_1.5 28.2% over_2.5 45.5% under_2.5 54.5%
over_3.5 24.1% under_3.5 75.9% over_4.5 10.8%
under_4.5 89.2% over_5.5 4.2% under_5.5 95.8%
odd_even
odd 48.4% even 51.6%
team_home
over_0.5 70.8% under_0.5 29.3% over_1.5 34.8%
under_1.5 65.2% over_2.5 12.7% under_2.5 87.3%
team_away
over_0.5 71.8% under_0.5 28.2% over_1.5 36.1%
under_1.5 63.9% over_2.5 13.5% under_2.5 86.5%
most
home 35.0% draw 28.3% away 36.7%
handicap
home_-2.5 5.1% away_+2.5 94.9% home_-1.5 15.3%
away_+1.5 84.7% home_-0.5 35.0% away_+0.5 65.0%
home_+0.5 63.3% away_-0.5 36.7% home_+1.5 83.6%
away_-1.5 16.4% home_+2.5 94.4% away_-2.5 5.6%
total_exact
exact_0 8.9% exact_1 19.3% exact_2 26.3%
exact_3 21.3% exact_4 13.3% exact_5 6.6%
exact_6 2.8% exact_7plus 1.4%
First half range, not a point
1×2
home 37.7% draw 40.6% away 21.8%
total
over_0.5 71.2% under_0.5 28.8% over_1.5 35.3%
under_1.5 64.7% over_2.5 13.0% under_2.5 87.0%
btts
yes 20.6% no 79.4%
total_exact
exact_0 28.8% exact_1 35.9% exact_2 22.3%
exact_3 9.2% exact_4plus 3.8%
Second half range, not a point
1×2
home 37.7% draw 38.6% away 23.7%
total
over_0.5 74.3% under_0.5 25.7% over_1.5 39.4%
under_1.5 60.6% over_2.5 15.7% under_2.5 84.3%
btts
yes 23.7% no 76.3%
Half-time / full-time range, not a point
H/H 31.0% H/D 5.1% H/A 1.6%
D/H 15.3% D/D 15.6% D/A 9.6%
A/H 2.2% A/D 4.7% A/A 14.8%
Corners range, not a point
total
over_7.5 78.2% under_7.5 21.8% over_8.5 67.7%
under_8.5 32.3% over_9.5 56.1% under_9.5 43.9%
over_10.5 44.4% under_10.5 55.6% over_11.5 33.5%
under_11.5 66.5% over_12.5 24.2% under_12.5 75.8%
odd_even
odd 50.0% even 50.0%
team_home
over_3.5 80.7% under_3.5 19.3% over_4.5 67.4%
under_4.5 32.6% over_5.5 52.8% under_5.5 47.2%
team_away
over_3.5 59.4% under_3.5 40.6% over_4.5 42.0%
under_4.5 58.0% over_5.5 27.2% under_5.5 72.8%
most
home 62.0% draw 9.8% away 28.2%
handicap
home_-3.5 30.8% away_+3.5 69.2% home_-1.5 51.3%
away_+1.5 48.7% home_-0.5 62.0% away_+0.5 38.0%
home_+0.5 71.8% away_-0.5 28.2% home_+1.5 80.2%
away_-1.5 19.8% home_+3.5 91.8% away_-3.5 8.2%
Shots range, not a point
total
over_22.5 62.4% under_22.5 37.6% over_24.5 49.9%
under_24.5 50.1% over_26.5 37.7% under_26.5 62.3%
over_28.5 26.8% under_28.5 73.2%
odd_even
odd 50.0% even 50.0%
team_home
over_10.5 75.5% under_10.5 24.5% over_12.5 59.9%
under_12.5 40.1% over_14.5 43.7% under_14.5 56.4%
team_away
over_10.5 49.2% under_10.5 50.8% over_12.5 31.4%
under_12.5 68.6% over_14.5 18.0% under_14.5 82.0%
most
home 66.7% draw 5.6% away 27.7%
handicap
home_-4.5 41.8% away_+4.5 58.2% home_-2.5 54.5%
away_+2.5 45.5% home_-0.5 66.7% away_+0.5 33.3%
home_+0.5 72.3% away_-0.5 27.7% home_+2.5 81.9%
away_-2.5 18.1% home_+4.5 89.1% away_-4.5 10.9%
Shots on target range, not a point
total
over_6.5 68.7% under_6.5 31.3% over_7.5 56.1%
under_7.5 44.0% over_8.5 43.4% under_8.5 56.6%
over_9.5 31.9% under_9.5 68.1%
odd_even
odd 50.0% even 50.0%
team_home
over_3.5 64.5% under_3.5 35.5% over_4.5 47.3%
under_4.5 52.7% over_5.5 31.9% under_5.5 68.1%
team_away
over_3.5 47.8% under_3.5 52.2% over_4.5 30.3%
under_4.5 69.7% over_5.5 17.5% under_5.5 82.5%
most
home 55.6% draw 12.5% away 31.9%
handicap
home_-2.5 30.5% away_+2.5 69.5% home_-0.5 55.6%
away_+0.5 44.4% home_+0.5 68.1% away_-0.5 31.9%
home_+2.5 87.0% away_-2.5 13.0%
Cards calibrated
total
over_2.5 69.2% under_2.5 30.8% over_3.5 47.9%
under_3.5 52.1% over_4.5 28.8% under_4.5 71.2%
over_5.5 15.2% under_5.5 84.8%
odd_even
odd 50.0% even 50.0%
team_home
over_1.5 40.4% under_1.5 59.6% over_2.5 16.4%
under_2.5 83.7%
team_away
over_1.5 64.1% under_1.5 35.9% over_2.5 37.3%
under_2.5 62.7%
most
home 24.0% draw 20.4% away 55.6%
handicap
home_-1.5 10.3% away_+1.5 89.7% home_-0.5 24.0%
away_+0.5 76.1% home_+0.5 44.4% away_-0.5 55.6%
home_+1.5 65.9% away_-1.5 34.1%
Fouls calibrated
total
over_20.5 53.3% under_20.5 46.8% over_22.5 37.6%
under_22.5 62.4% over_24.5 24.2% under_24.5 75.8%
odd_even
odd 50.0% even 50.0%
team_home
over_9.5 50.6% under_9.5 49.4% over_11.5 28.8%
under_11.5 71.2% over_13.5 13.6% under_13.5 86.4%
team_away
over_9.5 67.6% under_9.5 32.4% over_11.5 46.0%
under_11.5 54.1% over_13.5 26.6% under_13.5 73.4%
most
home 33.8% draw 7.7% away 58.5%
handicap
home_-3.5 15.2% away_+3.5 84.8% home_-0.5 33.8%
away_+0.5 66.2% home_+2.5 57.6% away_-2.5 42.4%
Red card range, not a point
any
yes 7.8% no 92.2%
home
yes 1.2% no 98.8%
away
yes 6.6% no 93.4%

How this works (honestly)

We are transparent about our method, our limits and how we measure performance.

What we use

Results, odds & closing prices, xG, shots, lineups, referee and schedule load.

Our method

Dixon-Coles + an xG strength model + champion/challenger selection + probability calibration + a trust gate.

What we don’t do

We do not beat the sharp market. The value is honest probabilities, No-bet calls and CLV.

Performance snapshot

Top-pick hit rate 47.7% (reliability, not edge). Calibration error 0.0095 (55261 matches).

More: Bolton predictions · Preston predictions · Championship

Not financial advice. No model beats the sharp closing market on public data. The value here is honest probabilities, No-bet calls, and CLV history.

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