Preview: Blackpool vs. Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

The Tangerines have lost just one of their last seven matches, while the visitors head into the contest off the back of consecutive victories.

Match preview

Blackpool will enter the quarter-final tie in impressive form, having won four, drawn two and lost one of their last seven games.

Their only defeat in that period took place after extra time against Premier League Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fourth round.

While they have proven to be a tough team to beat, the Tangerines had to settle for a draw in Saturday's league outing with Charlton Athletic, as Karamoko Dembele saw his opener cancelled out by a Marvin Ekpiteta own goal.

That result left Blackpool in ninth place and three points adrift of the top six, but they will now put their League One playoff push on hold to focus on their first EFL Trophy quarter-final since winning the competition in the 2003-04 season.

Having won all four of their home games in this season's EFL Trophy, Blackpool will fancy their chances of making full use of home advantage on Tuesday.

Bolton still have the chance to retain the trophy they won at Wembley last season after they beat Accrington Stanley 3-1 in the last 16 earlier this month.

The Trotters may have followed that result with defeats in the FA Cup and the league, but they have managed to return to winning ways in their last two outings.

Ivan Evatt's side edged out Cheltenham Town via a 1-0 scoreline, before they recorded a commanding 4-1 win in Saturday's away clash with Carlisle United thanks to goals from Zac Ashworth, Paris Maghoma, Kyle Dempsey and Nathaniel Ogbeta.

That result moved Bolton Wanderers into the second automatic promotion spot, keeping them two points behind leaders Portsmouth, who have played two games more.

They will now turn their attention to Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash, where they will try to beat Blackpool for the second time this season after winning 1-0 in November's home fixture.

Blackpool EFL Trophy form:

W

W

W

W

W

Blackpool form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

W

D

Bolton Wanderers EFL Trophy form:

W

W

W

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

W

W

Team News

Blackpool are unable to call upon the injured Jake Beesley, while Kylian Kouassi is unlikely to feature as he works his way back to full fitness following a spell on the sidelines.

Having played in all five EFL Trophy games, goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell will start between the posts in Tuesday's quarter-final.

Neil Critchley could be tempted to make a couple more changes, with Callum Connolly and Shayne Lavery among those who could be brought in to freshen up the side.

As for the visitors, Randell Williams is ruled out through injury, while Gethin Jones is currently representing Australia at the Asian Cup.

Midfielder George Thomason is expected to come back into the lineup after missing Saturday's dominant win through suspension.

Nathaniel Ogbeta could be given his first Bolton start after he came off the bench to score on his debut against Carlisle.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Husband; Hamilton, Dembele, Norburn, Morgan, Coulson; Joseph, Lavery

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Coleman; Toal, Santos, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Dempsey, Sheehan, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Charles, Adeboyejo

We say: Blackpool 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

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