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

The hosts lost to Shrewsbury Town last time out, while the visitors have not won in any of their last three outings in the league.

Match preview

Bolton have been in good form this season, sitting fifth in the League One table as they eye a push for promotion to the Championship with Ian Evatt in charge.

The Trotters suffered a demoralising defeat to Shrewsbury Town last weekend in League One, conceding twice in the final 11 minutes of the contest in Shropshire to suffer a 3-2 loss.

However, Evatt's side did get back on track in midweek, beating Manchester United's Under-21s 4-0 to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Northern Section of the EFL Trophy.

Dapo Afolayan, Aaron Morley, Amadou Bakayoko and Conor Bradley all got on the scoresheet in the second half for Bolton, after an hour of squandered chances and frustration.

Evatt will be eager to see his side bring that cup form into league matters, as the Trotters look to respond to the disappointing defeat in Shropshire here.

As for Exeter, Callum Paterson's stoppage-time equaliser denied Exeter the chance to claim a hard-fought victory over Sheffield Wednesday last time out, after Jake Caprice had given the Grecians the lead.

Gary Caldwell's side will be keen to turn their form around after a tough spell in recent weeks but face another stern test this weekend against promotion-chasing Bolton.

After winning promotion back to League One last season, Exeter have enjoyed a commendable start to the campaign and currently sit 13th in their first term in the third tier since 2012.

The Grecians currently sit four points adrift of the playoff places, however they have only won one of their last six league outings - a 3-2 victory over Peterborough United on November 12, thanks to a Sam Nombe equaliser late on and a 91st-minute winner from Jevani Brown, but they have since been unable to build on that impressive result.

A victory here could take Exeter into the top eight, should other results go their way, although you would have to go back all the way to October for the last time Caldwell's team won away from home.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

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D

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L

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

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W

Exeter City League One form:

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L

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D

Exeter City form (all competitions):

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Team News

James Trafford replaced Joel Dixon in goal last time out for Bolton, perhaps as a result of the latter's mistake in the previous round of the EFL Trophy against Barrow. Evatt may opt to stick with Trafford here after keeping a clean sheet against Manchester United's Under-21s.

Declan John was passed fit for the EFL Trophy clash but he did not feature, so he may return to proceedings here.

Evatt also confirmed that Jon Dadi Bodvarsson needs an operation on a broken nose and is likely to be missing for the rest of December, while young midfielder George Thomason faces a significant spell on the sidelines after dislocating his knee and tearing a ligament.

As for Exeter, Jevani Brown looks set to start in the Exeter City front line once again on Saturday, having enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign with a league-high tally of eight assists while only three players in England's third tier top his nine league goals.

Kegs Chauke was also given a full debut for the Grecians against Sheffield Wednesday, after his loan move from Southampton, so he could retain his place in the starting XI here.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Toal, Ricardo, Iredale; Sadlier, Williams, Afolayan, Sheehan, John; Charles, Kachunga

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Chauke, Kite, Grounds; Nombe, Brown, Key

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Exeter City

We think that Bolton will narrowly come out on top and keep their push for promotion from League One on the right track.

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