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

Stevenage will be looking for a positive response after their five-game unbeaten league run came to an end in Saturday's defeat to Oxford United.

Match preview

After falling short in the playoff semi-finals last term Bolton are seemingly determined to use that disappointment as motivation for the current campaign.

The Trotters have collected 17 points from their opening nine matches, leaving them in fourth position and four points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Since losing 2-1 to Reading on September 16, Bolton have put together a three-game unbeaten, which began with a 1-1 draw against Peterborough United, before they cruised to a dominant 8-1 victory over Manchester United Under 21s in the EFL Trophy.

Ian Evatt's side followed that impressive result with a league win against Port Vale at the weekend after Dion Charles found the net in the 43rd minute to guide Bolton to a narrow 1-0 victory.

Bolton will now turn their attention to Tuesday's contest, where they will look to extend their unbeaten home run to five matches in all competitions.

After winning promotion from the fourth tier last term, Stevenage have fared well in their first League One campaign since the 2013-14 season.

Having collected 18 points from their opening 10 games, the newly-promoted side will head into Tuesday's fixture in third position.

While Steve Evans will be pleased with his team's start to the season, he would have been disappointed with Saturday's 3-1 defeat to second-placed Oxford United.

Jamie Reid gave his side an early lead in the 15th minute, but a brace from Greig Leigh and a late Elliot Moore header ended Stevenage's five-game unbeaten league run.

They will look to bounce back from their second defeat of the League One season in Tuesday's midweek fixture, where they have the chance to claim three consecutive away league victories.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L

D

W

L

D

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

W

W

Stevenage League One form:

D

W

D

D

W

L

Stevenage form (all competitions):

W

L

D

D

W

L

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Team News

Bolton are still without the services of Ricardo Almeida Santos, Carlos Mendes Gomes and Paris Maghoma due to injury.

Victor Adeboyejo missed the win over Port Vale with a knee injury, and the striker remains a doubt for Tuesday's encounter.

After being suspended for Saturday's contest, midfielder George Thomason will return to the squad, but Gethin Jones still has to serve two games on his three-match suspension.

As for the visitors, Louis Thompson could come into the side after featuring as a substitute in Stevenage's last two matches.

Aaron Pressley and Terence Vancooten will provide Evans with options off the bench after the pair returned from injury to make substitute appearances against Oxford.

Having scored five goals in his last five appearances, Reid will provide one of Stevenage's main attacking threats.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Baxter; Toal, Iredale, Forrester; Cogley, Sheehan, Thomason, Dempsey, Williams; Charles, Nlundulu

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Hegyi; Freeman, Sweeney, N. Thompson, Piergianni, Butler; Roberts, L. Thompson, Burns; Reid, Hemmings

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Stevenage

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