Despite Wycombe Wanderers’ superior record over Bolton Wanderers, Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth has insisted that form ‘doesn’t matter at all’ going into this Saturday's contest.
The two clubs have played each other four times in all competitions with the Adams Park side winning all four of those meetings.
In that time, they have scored seven times and have not conceded a single goal against their North West opponents.
Away days are back!#Chairboys travel up to the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday to take on the Trotters for the first away game of the season.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 3, 2022
Make sure you're there by securing your tickets at https://t.co/L8vpuGV6G0.#BOLvWYC
However, two of those victories (which both ended 2-0 in the 2019/20 season), came when the Trotters were facing an uncertain future due to numerous financial issues and winding up petitions.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth praises his old teammate Ian Evatt ahead of Wycombe's visit to Bolton
The situation was so perilous that the former Premier League club and 2004 League Cup runners up were on the verge of liquidation.
See what happened at the first ever meeting of the #Chairboys and #BWFC at Adams Park on Saturday.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) August 5, 2019
Filming by @Danamo1996, commentary by @GeoffDoyle1 and @bluntphil, goals by @paul_ps17 and Fred.
Celebrations by you. #WYCvBOL pic.twitter.com/TKyBgxjqMT
However, despite suffering their fourth relegation in nine seasons that year, they survived and are now one of favourites to finish in and around the play-off places in League One this campaign.
Speaking ahead of the match on Saturday, Ainsworth said: “You can’t look at that [head-to-head] because Bolton were a different team and club when we initially played them.
“We’ve got to be careful when we look at past records against clubs as they don’t matter at all.
“Club’s change quickly and Bolton’s team, personnel, ownership and everything else have changed and I think we would be naïve to do that.
READ MORE: 'You need to change for the right reasons' - Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's transfer plans
Bolton Vs Wycombe
— S.P.R sports stats (Simon) (@Footiespr5687) August 3, 2022
The battle of two Wanderers in this one with both sides hoping keep their unbeaten starts . Wycombe have won both previous trips to Bolton 2-0 @OfficialBWFC #bwfc @wwfcofficial #Chairboys
Prediction = 3-1
“A few years ago, we were the whipping boys in League Two and now, we have a way of performing and outperforming people’s expectations.
“I think people still look at us as ‘little Wycombe’, so we won’t be looking back at any records.
“They are a good side with some very good players, so we need to be aware of them and what they offer, but I want to give too much away in terms of what we are preparing for them.”
The Chairboys will make the trip up the M6 to face the Trotters off the back of a brilliant 3-0 home win against Burton Albion on the season's opening weekend.
That same day, Bolton drew 1-1 away at Ipswich Town, who are also one of the favourites to finish in and around the play-off places.
And the boss hopes his side can keep the same intensity and momentum up for when they face Bolton on Saturday.
READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers' youngsters suffer heavy defeat away at Non League Worthing
Battle of the #Wanderers:#Bolton 0-2 #Wycombe.
— Cold🇺🇦War🇬🇧Airman (@Cold_War_Airman) January 11, 2022
Teams ran out to theme tune of #633Sqn. 1st half took 60 minutes, with Wycombe’s time wasting and 2 double head injuries. Good game “for the neutral”. #Fossey is a find. Game 42 of the season. 75/92. #GroundHopper #GroundHopping pic.twitter.com/Sw6fMVxSs6
He continued: “Bolton are a good side and they had a great point at Ipswich last week who are one of the other favourite teams, so we know this is going to be a tough test this weekend without being disrespectful to Burton.
“I watched the game (Ipswich vs Bolton) and even though Ipswich at the lion share of the chances, Bolton had some opportunities.
"And if you look at the fancied teams to go up this season, Bolton are one of them.
"They’ve been on a really good run of form since the turn of the year and Ian [Evatt] has made some good signings so we need to make sure that we are on it."
The game will kick-off at 3pm.
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