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

Wanderers were dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend by fellow promotion rivals Barnsley, whilst the U's were held at sixth-tier Curzon Ashton.

Match preview

Mark Bonner's men got off to a good start this season, but have found themselves stuttering as of late, picking up just one win in their last seven league matches.

Their last game in the division was a defeat at local rivals Peterborough United, when defender Lloyd Jones put through his own net to give the Posh a 1-0 victory.

Cambridge are beginning to look over their shoulder ever so slightly, with just five points between them and MK Dons, who sit just inside the relegation zone.

They have conceded too many goals at this stage of the season - only Bristol Rovers, Forest Green Rovers and Burton Albion conceding more - and have lost 10 times, a record only better than last-placed Albion.

The last time the U's won at home was against Lincoln City at the start of September, but they have lost all four of their home games since and another defeat here would mount the pressure on Bonner.

Bolton have struggled lately, despite what their league position might suggest.

October saw them pick up just three wins from their seven outings, and they suffered defeats at lowly Cheltenham Town and Forest Green before being comfortably beaten at home by Oxford United in their last league game.

It was the first time they had conceded three times this season and, despite Dion Charles's strike 17 minutes from the end, goals from Djavan Anderson, Ciaron Brown and Steve Seddon ensured that Wanderers would lose their fifth game of the season.

Goalmouth action has been somewhat at a premium this year at either end in Bolton matches - they are the lowest scorers amongst the top nine teams in the table, but have also conceded the fewest times across the entire division.

Charles is the side's top scorer with just three goals to his name, while fellow striker Elias Kachunga has yet to register in the league this season.

They did beat Accrington Stanley in their last away game, but if they were to lose to Cambridge, they would sit just five points ahead of the U's which could leave them looking down rather than looking up.

Cambridge United League One form:

L

L

L

L

W

L

Cambridge United form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

L

D

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L

L

D

W

W

L

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

L

Team News

Harrison Dunk made his return to action against Curzon Ashton so he could be set to start in the league for the first time since October 1.

Bonner has a decision to make about the three behind Joe Ironside up front, and could choose to start Jake Lankester ahead of Sam Smith after the former replaced the latter in the cup draw.

Ian Evatt is once again without Lloyd Isgrove and Will Aimson, both of whom picked up hamstring injuries in recent weeks.

MJ Williams is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards over the course of the season, meaning he will have to miss one game.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Dunk, Jones, Ibsen Rossi, Okedina; Digby, Simper; Brophy, Knibbs, Lankester; Ironside

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Sadlier, Sheehan, Thomason, Afolayan; Dempsey; Bodvarsson, Kachunga

We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

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