Boltonvs.Shrewsbury

The Trotters are sitting in 11th place in the League One table, while the Shrews are currently languishing in the relegation zone.

Match preview

After losing in last season's playoff final, Bolton experienced a difficult start to the 2024-25 season, taking just four points from their first six league games.

However, they appeared to have turned a corner in recent weeks, having put together a run of three consecutive league victories.

They began that run of form with a commanding 5-2 win against Reading, before they recorded a 2-0 away victory over newly-promoted Crawley Town.

Ian Evatt's side enjoyed another successful away trip in midweek as John McAtee, George Thomason, Eoin Toal and Dion Charles all got on the scoresheet in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Northampton Town.

They will fancy their chances of extending their winning run on Saturday, having won three of their last four meetings with Shrewsbury, including an away victory in August's EFL Cup tie.

On that occasion, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Charles grabbed a goal apiece to fire Bolton to a 2-0 victory in the second-round clash.

Shrewsbury have experienced a difficult start to the season, having won just one of their opening nine league games.

Since beating Leyton Orient on matchday three, Shrewsbury have gone on to take just one point from their next five matches.

The Shrews halted a run of three consecutive defeats with a 1-1 home draw against Rotherham United, but they would have been disappointed to miss out on three points after George Lloyd saw his opener cancelled out by Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Paul Hurst's side then experienced a disappointing outing in midweek as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Stockport County, leaving them in 23rd place and four points adrift of safety.

After competing in back-to-back away games, Shrewsbury will now head on their travels, they will be desperate to claim a positive result as one of two teams yet to pick up an away point in League One this season.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L

L

L

W

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

W

W

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

W

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

Bolton will be without the injured quartet of Gethin Jones, Chris Forino, Will Forrester and Carlos Mendes Gomes.

Charles is in line for a recall after the striker came off the bench to score Bolton's fourth goal in Tuesday's win over Northampton.

The 28-year-old could be joined in the frontline by McAtee, who will want to find the net in a third consecutive game.

As for the visitors, Carl Winchester will have to be assessed after he was forced to miss Tuesday's defeat against Stockport.

Shrewsbury are also without the services of Joshua Kayode, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury.

Arsenal loanee Charles Sagoe Jr could be recalled for Saturday's away trip after he dropped down to the bench for Shrewsbury's midweek fixture.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Baxter; Toal, Santos, Johnston; Dacres-Cogley, Dempsey, Sheehan, Thomason, Schon; Charles, McAtee

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Savin; Hoole, M. Feeney, J. Feeney, Benning; Rossiter, Ojo; Gilliead, Castledine, Sagoe Jr; Lloyd

We say: Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Shrewsbury Town

Previews by email