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

Playoff-chasing Wanderers occupy fifth place, 12 points ahead of Oxford, who are just one place above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Bolton have recently recovered from three games without a win - or a goal - with narrow victories against Accrington Stanley last weekend and Burton Albion on Tuesday.

Neither game was without drama as Ian Evatt's side came from behind in both games - a 19-minute turnaround against Stanley saw them come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and, after trailing Albion with three minutes to play, strikes from Amadou Bakayoko and a 98th-minute winner from Jon Dadi Bodvarsson earned them the three points.

The performances in both games were less than convincing but the character Wanderers showed to come from behind in the manner they did was impressive and will have given them confidence after three poor performances.

They are the lowest scorers in the top eight in League One but they have the best defence in the division, conceding 11 times in their 15 games and keeping seven clean sheets.

Bolton have won six of their eight games at the University of Bolton Stadium - a number only bettered by runaway leaders Plymouth Argyle, who have won all eight of their home fixtures.

Oxford picked up a credible point at Portsmouth on Tuesday, after Kyle Joseph's first-half strike was cancelled out by Colby Bishop's effort 12 minutes from time.

Results have not been going their way this season, lacking a clinical edge in games that they have been competitive in - they have failed to score in four games this season but have also not lost a game by more than one goal.

The draw with Pompey was their third away game in a row without defeat, beating Exeter City 4-2 two weeks ago at St James Park, with eight of their 15 points this season coming on the road.

They are in the middle of a tough run of games, having already faced Charlton Athletic, Peterborough United and Plymouth in this stretch and can look forward to a set of more favourable fixtures following the game at Bolton.

Disciplinary issues have started to creep in in recent weeks, with Billy Bodin seeing red against Pompey following Matty Taylor's dismissal against Peterborough - which the U's failed to overturn.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

W

L

L

D

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

L

L

D

W

W

W

Oxford United League One form:

L

D

L

W

L

D

Oxford United form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

Evatt has a decision to make about his front pairing, with Bakayoko and Bodvarsson's goals in midweek staking their claim for a starting berth ahead of Elias Kachunga and Dion Charles.

Kieran Lee was dropped to the bench for the Burton win, and could be recalled to the starting lineup, as could defender George Johnston.

Oxford have Bodin and Taylor suspended, so young Gatlin O'Donkor should keep his spot in the middle of the front three, and Leeds United loanee Lewis Bate could come in to midfield.

Josh Martin remains out, but Jodi Jones was an unused substitute in the week so could be in line to play some part against Bolton for Karl Robinson's side.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Thomason, Afolayan; Bakayoko; Charles, Bodvarsson

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Eastwood; Long, Moore, Findlay, Brown; Bate, Brannagan, McGuane; Joseph, O'Donkor, Browne

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Oxford United

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