Image source, Opta

Three of the summer signings will make their league debuts for Bolton this afternoon.

Akin Famewo, Luca Stephenson and Gaizka Larrazabal make it into the starting XI, while fellow new arrivals Lewis Brunt, Ryan Hardie and Samuel Iling-Junior are on the bench.

Ethan Erhahon will start in the midfield following Ruben Rodrigues’ injury.

Josh Sheehan wears the captain's armband with Eoin Toal on the bench.

Bolton and Preston's rivalry goes back to the earliest days of the football league and today they will be looking to add another chapter.

The two side's were both involved in the first ever football league formed in 1888 but they haven't faced each other in the Championship for seven years after Bolton's relegation in 2019.

That battle was also at the Toughsheet and it was Preston who came through 2-1 victors. In fact, Bolton haven't won their local rivals in their past six attempts outside of friendlies.

Though it's not a task that seems daunting for Bolton boss Steven Schumacher. It's actually one he intends to relish.

"It's going to be a huge crowd here," Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester.

"It's what you want because we've waited a long time to get back to this level and get our first game, at our home, back in the Championship against our local rival - it doesn't get much better than that."

BBC Local Radio

Unfortunately, we cannot bring you live radio coverage of today's matches due to rights restrictions.

However, fear not. We will have all the best of the commentary from our local BBC radio teams right here in text form.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty

New Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto had a lot to thank his talismanic striker Raul Jimenez for after their match against Blackburn last night.

The side came close to an opening day shock loss after they went down 2-1 to Tony Mowbray's men.

But a handball from Ryan Alebiosu offered up a chance for Jimenez to strike from the spot and equalise. Did he do it? Si, Senor.

Read Ged Scott's full match report here.

Alex Hoad
BBC Sport England

Image source, BBC/Getty Images

Here we go again... you can leave the Viking Row, Wonderwall, Mexican ducks and (most) hydration breaks in the summer of '26 - proper football is back.

The open road of the Championship season stretches nine months before us, punctuated by 46 twists and turns along the way.

Whisper it, but it looks like being one of the most open and competitive seasons ever in a division which is already known around the world for being ridiculously unpredictable.

Read about your side and more in BBC Sport's Championship club-by-club preview here.

Saturdays are back, people.

We get our first EFL mega-matchday off with a North West derby that's got over a century of history behind it as Championship returners Bolton host Preston North End.

Promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough welcome last season's League One champions Lincoln City at 3pm amid a stellar afternoon line-up.

Then closing the action is a clash between Sheffield United and Birmingham City, two sides who will likely be hoping to compete for promotion this season after disappointment last time out.

Don't go anywhere. We've got build-up coming your way and you won't want to miss a thing.