Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Boltonvs.Fleetwood

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 November 2024, 12:30
Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town clash in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with a place in the knockout phase up for grabs.

Only the top two in northern section Group D can go through, and second-placed Bolton lead their visitors by one point heading into the group-stage finale.

Match preview

After beating Barrow 3-2 in their opening fixture, before drawing 1-1 with leaders Aston Villa Under-21s and losing a subsequent penalty shootout, Bolton Wanderers have their EFL Trophy destiny within their own hands.

Victory or a draw would secure at least second place in Group D, sealing progress to the knockout rounds, but stopping a recent downturn will be upmost in Ian Evatt's thoughts.

Since finishing October with back-to-back wins over Peterborough United and Stevenage, his team have succumbed to League Two high-flyers Walsall in the FA Cup first round - losing to a stoppage-time goal at Bescot - and taken a big beating in Stockport.

At the weekend, Bolton's fellow promotion hopefuls and Greater Manchester rivals thumped Wanderers 5-0, so Evatt's side have slipped to 10th in the League One table, seven points behind second-placed Birmingham City.

They will therefore be keen to sign off for the international break by getting back on track against Fleetwood, who have recently shown signs of revival.

Ronan Coughlan's early penalty was sufficient to earn Fleetwood a precious 1-0 home win over Bradford City on Saturday afternoon, despite being their sole shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

The Cod Army's top scorer converted an eighth-minute spot kick after Matty Virtue had been fouled in the Bradford box, ultimately securing a first win in any competition for over a month.

Before exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Reading, Charlie Adam's men had posted consecutive League Two draws, and picking up five points from the last nine available has taken them into the top half of the table.

Just three points shy of the playoff places, Fleetwood can now take a break from the long slog in England's fourth tier, with another win on Tuesday evening sure to book their spot in the EFL Trophy's knockout phase.

In Group D so far, they have lost a five-goal thriller against Aston Villa's development squad and defeated Barrow 3-0, so beating Bolton would guarantee a top-two finish.

Bolton Wanderers EFL Trophy form:

W

L

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

L

L

Fleetwood Town EFL Trophy form:

L

W

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

L

W

Team News

Likely to rotate his resources in any case, Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt will be without three players called up by their countries for UEFA Nations League duty: Wales midfielder Josh Sheehan, plus Northern Ireland duo Dion Charles and Luke Southwood.

Charles has found the net on six occasions in League One this season, but either John McAtee or Victor Adeboyejo should deputise in the EFL Trophy, with support from Aaron Collins.

Both Gethin Jones and Jordi Osei-Tutu are now available following injury layoffs, but George Thomason, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Eoin Toal and Chris Forino are not due back until after the break.

Fleetwood have also had a goalkeeper selected for this month's Nations League finale, as David Harrington has been added to Craig Bellamy's Wales squad as cover.

Defender Harrison Holgate was recently ruled out for several months after undergoing surgery on a ruptured ACL, increasing the visitors' injury crisis: Zech Medley, Brendan Wiredu, Mackenzie Hunt and Rhys Bennett are all on the treatment table.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town loanee Kian Harratt scored twice in the win over EFL Trophy win over Barrow last month and could start up front again.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Hutchinson; Cogley, Santos, Johnston; Matheson, Williams, Matete, Schon; Lolos; Collins, Adeboyejo

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Hughes, Potter, Bolton; Broom, Mayor, Bonds, Virtue, Patterson; Odubeko, Harratt

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Fleetwood Town

Home advantage and a determination to put things right after recent results should see Bolton claim both victory and a place in the next stage.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, are set to travel to Tynecastle Park to face relegation-threatened Hearts on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon