Boltonvs.Portsmouth

Meanwhile, the Trotters will be hoping to claim all three points to boost their own chances of winning promotion from League One.

Match preview

Having racked up 81 points from 42 matches, Bolton are sitting in third spot and two points adrift of second-placed Derby County, who have played a game more.

After thrashing Reading 5-2 in their most recent home outing, Bolton went on to claim three more points in last Saturday's away clash with Bristol Rovers.

The Trotters played out a goalless first half against the Gas, before Archie Collins and Aaron Morley found the net to secure a 2-0 victory.

Although they face a tough test this weekend, Bolton have managed to avoid defeat in nine consecutive league games since losing to Bristol Rovers in December.

Ian Evatt's side have the chance to record four successive home league wins for the first time since February 2023, having beaten Cambridge United, Oxford United and Reading in their last three home outings.

Portsmouth are currently sitting top of the League One table with a seven-point cushion to Derby and an eight-point advantage over Bolton.

Pompey extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches with a commanding 3-1 victory in last Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury Town.

A Chey Dunkley own goal was cancelled out by Jordan Shipley, before Colby Bishop netted a brace to secure Portsmouth's fourth victory in five matches.

John Mousinho's side know that they can seal promotion and the league title with a win on Saturday, but even if they fail to collect all three points, they could still be promoted depending on results elsewhere.

Although they are set to face the division's second-highest scorers, Pompey will still be confident of producing a strong defensive display after conceding just 13 goals in 21 away league matches this season.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

D

W

L

D

W

W

Portsmouth League One form:

D

W

W

W

D

W

Team News

Ricardo Santos and Josh Sheehan picked up calf and hamstring issues in the recent win over Bristol Rovers, but the pair are expected to be ready to start Saturday's crucial fixture.

Bolton's top scorer Dion Charles will only be fit for a place on the bench, having been sidelined for the last two months due to a knee injury.

Goalkeeper Nathan Baxter will retain his place after returning from injury to keep a clean sheet against the Gas last weekend.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Tom McIntyre, Regan Poole, Tom Lowery, Joe Morrell, Alex Robertson and Terry Devlin.

Christian Saydee could be recalled to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench for the win over Shrewsbury.

Bishop will be looking to continue his impressive form, having scored 20 goals in 40 league matches this season, leaving him three goals short of the division's top scorer, Charlton Athletic's Alfie May.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Baxter; Toal, Santos, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Collins, Bodvarsson

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Swanson, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Pack, Moxon; Kamara, Saydee, Lane; Bishop

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth

Pompey may won four of their previous five matches, but we think that they will have to settle for a draw, with Bolton currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten home league run.

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