Boltonvs.Leyton Orient

The Trotters have alternated between wins and losses this month, while the O's are on a three-game winning streak and will be feeling confident ahead of this weekend's clash.

Match preview

Steven Schumacher took over Bolton at the end of January after the club parted ways with former boss Ian Evatt following their 2-1 loss against Charlton Athletic last month.

Since his appointment, Schumacher has overseen two losses and two wins, and despite beginning his tenure by losing 1-0 to Reading on February 1, the Trotters are now eighth in the table, just three points behind their sixth-placed opponents in the playoff spots.

Last time out, Bolton took all three points in a victory over Shrewsbury Town thanks in large part to a brace from John McAtee, though the manager will be disappointed to have conceded twice to the division's second-from-bottom club.

That being said, Saturday's hosts have one of the worst defensive records outside of the relegation zone this season, and the new chief will have to address the fact that his team have conceded the more goals than any other side in the top half if they are to find some consistency.

This weekend, a win would take the Trotters level on points with their promotion rivals, though they will likely have to avoid conceding the first goal of the game as they have done in their last four outings if they are to walk away with a victory.

Meanwhile, Richie Wellens's Leyton Orient have been in excellent form in League One in recent months, and have won five of their last six league games.

Even more impressively, the O's have lost just one game in the third tier since late November, winning 12 and drawing just twice in that period.

Most recently, Saturday's visitors side came from behind to beat 3rd-placed Wrexham 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground, and even managed to hold on despite Darren Pratley's dismissal late on.

That result extended Wellens's side's unbeaten streak on the road to 10 matches across all competitions, and such impressive consistency should give fans confidence ahead of the trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

In the reverse fixture, Orient lost 2-1 at home against Bolton, but the O's will be heading out with the expectation of picking up another three points this time around given that all of the momentum seems to be behind them this weekend.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L

W

W

L

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

W

Leyton Orient League One form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

Bolton will once again miss midfielder Kyle Dempsey, who has not featured since October.

Against Shrewsbury, Schumacher opted for a pairing of Jay Matete and Aaron Morley in the centre of the park, and the new boss is likely to continue with the duo after securing a win.

Likewise, Gethin Jones and Alex Murphy should also retain their places on either flank, with John McAtee and Joel Randall supporting striker Aaron Collins up top.

As for Orient, they will be without midfielder Darren Pratley after his red card last time out, so expect Dominic Ball to partner Jordan Brown in a double pivot this weekend.

Elsewhere, centre-back Jack Simpson was withdrawn with an injury against Wrexham, and if he is unavailable on Saturday, then Rarmani Edmonds-Green should start alongside Daniel Happe at the heart of the defence.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Toal, Forrester, Johnston; Jones, Matete, Morley, Murphy; McAtee, Randall; Collins

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Keeley; Galbraith, Edmonds-Green, Happe, Sweeney; Ball, Brown; Perkins, Donley, Williams; Kelman

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Leyton Orient

Bolton may have marginally outscored their opponents this season but they have conceded 20 more goals than Orient so far this term.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

Previews by email