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

The Trotters currently sit in the playoff places, while Pompey are 10 points worse off than their opponents, although they have played three games fewer than the Trotters.

Match preview

Bolton extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's 17th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, securing Bolton a place in the semi-finals.

The hosts will be looking to replicate that result on Saturday as they look to cement their position in the playoff places, with Bolton currently residing in fifth position.

Although Ian Evatt may have been frustrated with three of Bolton's last four league games finishing level, his side are currently three points better off than Wycombe Wanderers, who sit just outside the playoffs in seventh place.

Bolton have proven to be a tough team to break down at home this season, and as well as boasting the best defensive home record in the league, they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five competitive games at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth are currently without a permanent manager after Danny Cowley was sacked following the club's most recent league match, which resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic.

Since that result, interim boss Simon Bassey has overseen consecutive 1-0 defeats - the first to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, before they were beaten by Bolton on Tuesday.

While Pompey have now lost their last three games in all competitions, they are also winless in nine league matches since beating Forest Green Rovers on October 22.

As a result of their poor form, Pompey have dropped down to 13th place in the league table, with nine points separating them from the playoff places.

Portsmouth can draw inspiration from their recent head-to-head record with Bolton in League One after winning three and drawing one of their last four meetings against the Trotters in the third tier.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L

W

D

D

W

D

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

D

D

W

D

W

Portsmouth League One form:

D

L

L

D

D

L

Portsmouth form (all competitions):

L

D

D

L

L

L

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Jack Iredale due to a knee injury, while Dapo Afolayan is ruled out through suspension.

Dan N'Lundulu has recently joined on loan from Portsmouth's local rivals Southampton, and after being cup-tied for Tuesday's game, he is expected to feature among the substitutes on Saturday.

Evatt made a number of changes for the EFL Trophy quarter-final in midweek, but he could revert back to the same lineup that started the goalless draw against league leaders Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

As for Portsmouth, they are still without the services of Jayden Reid, Joe Rafferty, Tom Lowery and Clark Robertson due to injury issues, while Marlon Pack is suspended.

The visitors will be forced into a change of goalkeeper, with Josh Oluwayemi set to replace Joshua Griffiths, who has been recalled from his loan spell by parent club West Bromwich Albion.

January signing Ryley Towler was cup-tied for the EFL Trophy defeat in midweek, but he is expected to feature on the bench for Saturday's contest.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Toal, Aimson, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Dempsey, Williams; Bodvarsson, Lee, Charles

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Oluwayemi; Swanson, Raggett, Ogilvie, Hume; Dale, Tunnicliffe, Morrell, Hackett; Bishop, Scarlett

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth

While Bolton managed to get the better of Portsmouth on Tuesday, Pompey are unbeaten in their last four League One meetings against the Trotters, and we think that they will extend that run by holding their hosts to a draw on Saturday.

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