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

The hosts are in impressive form, losing just one of their last 10 games, while the visitors are winless in their last five league outings.

Match preview

Aaron Morley and Dion Charles were on target for Bolton last time out, as they strengthened their grip on a League One playoff place with a 2-1 victory at The Valley against Charlton Athletic.

That victory means that the Trotters have won back-to-back league games after a defeat to Derby County on January 21 ended an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Bolton have won their previous two league encounters at home, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Portsmouth before edging past Forest Green Rovers courtesy of a Dion Charles strike.

In fact, the majority of the Trotters' success has come in front of their own fans, as they have amassed 31 points from the 15 matches they have played at the University of Bolton Stadium - only Plymouth Argyle have a better home record.

Ian Evatt's side head into the weekend in fifth position, and they will be keen to continue their playoff push at the weekend against a Cheltenham side that have picked up 12 points from 14 games on their travels this campaign.

Cheltenham's first point of 2023 came last weekend, after a goalless stalemate against Port Vale at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Prior to that, Wade Elliott's side had begun the calendar year with four consecutive league defeats, which has left the Robins in 18th place in the table, four points clear of the relegation places.

After conceding two goals in every game of that four-match losing run, Cheltenham know that they will need to put in more defensive performances similar to the one against Port Vale if they are to end their poor run of form and pull away from the relegation zone.

The Robins will be looking to replicate the 1-0 victory that they recorded in their last competitive home meeting against Bolton back on October 4, with Ryan Broom being the hero that day.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

W

D

W

L

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

W

W

Cheltenham Town League One form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

Bolton signed Luke Mbete on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day for the rest of the season, so he could make his debut this weekend.

Dion Charles is the Trotters' top scorer in League One with 11 goals, and he is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.

Dan N'Lundulu has missed the last two fixtures after picking up a hamstring injury, and he could also miss Saturday's game against Cheltenham.

As for the visitors, Glen Rea joined the Robins on loan on transfer deadline day from Luton Town, but he continues to recover from a knee injury, so he will have to wait to make his debut.

Fellow January arrival Elkan Baggott could be given his Cheltenham debut on Saturday after joining from Ipswich Town on loan.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Dempsey, Jones; Lee; Shoretire, Charles

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Long, Taylor, Raglan; Broom, Bonds, Perry, Olayinka, Ferry; May, Goodwin

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Cheltenham Town

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