Wanderers’ 2-0 win at Stockport ensured they will receive a home tie in the EFL Trophy round of 32, but who could they come up against? Here are all the details you need.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s brace at Edgeley Park saw the Whites finish top of Group E after picking up maximum points. Ian Evatt’s men also overcame Salford and Manchester United Under-21s earlier this season.
Bolton are aiming to become the first side to win the competition two years in a row following their 4-0 triumph against Plymouth in last season’s final in front of nearly 80,000 supporters at Wembley.
Which teams have already qualified?
NORTHERN SECTION
- Blackpool
- Liverpool Under-21s
- Wrexham
- Port Vale
- Accrington
- Fleetwood
- Wigan
- Stockport
- Barnsley
- Bradford
- Derby
- Lincoln
SOUTHERN SECTION
- Forest Green
- Brighton Under-21s
- Crawley
- Wycombe
- Wimbledon
- Peterborough
- Portsmouth
- Fulham Under-21s
- Oxford
- MK Dons
- Reading
- Arsenal Under-21s
- West Ham Under-21s
- Bristol Rovers
The remaining spots in the knockout stage will be decided next week when the final group fixtures take place.
Who could Wanderers face?
The competition is regionalised in the round of 32, which means the Whites will face a side from the northern section.
With Wanderers guaranteed a home tie, they cannot face any of the other group winners which rules out Blackpool, Wrexham, Wigan and Derby. The top spot is still up for grabs in several groups ahead of next week’s fixtures.
Liverpool Under-21s, Port Vale, Fleetwood, Lincoln are all possible opponents, while Accrington, Nottingham Forest Under-21, Carlisle, Barnsley, Bradford, Doncaster, Burton and Mansfield could fall into that category depending on results next week.
What are the rules for the knockout rounds?
This season, the competition remains regionalised until the semi-final stage. Knockout fixtures will go straight to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes, with the exception of the final which will feature extra time if necessary.
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