Wrexhamvs.Bolton

The hosts come into this game in third place in the standings, just three points off the automatic promotion places, while Bolton are eighth, only outside the playoff zone on goal difference.

Match preview

Wrexham have had a memorable campaign to date, as they have adapted to life in League One seemingly with ease and are in contention for their third consecutive promotion.

However, the Welsh side suffered heartache in the EFL Trophy in midweek, as Peterborough United progressed to the final after beating them on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Despite missing out on a place at Wembley, February was a positive month for the hosts, as they won five of their seven fixtures in all competitions.

However, the hosts have failed to win their last three matches on home soil in the league, with their last league triumph on their own patch coming on January 4 in their 1-0 win against Peterborough.

Despite their recent struggles at home, Wrexham still have the second-best home record in League One and will view this weekend's clash as an opportunity to move a step closer to promotion.

Their 2-1 win last weekend at Mansfield Town helped maintain the pressure on Wycombe Wanderers, who are currently second in the standings.

With Birmingham City currently leading the way in League One, Wrexham will have one eye on the scoreline at St. Andrew's this weekend, when Wycombe travel to the Midlands to take on the Blues.

Should the Chairboys drop points in that encounter, Wrexham will have the opportunity to gain ground on Wycombe in the standings, with only three points separating the two sides in the table ahead of this weekend.

The hosts are strong at both ends of the pitch, as they have the second-best defensive record in the league with just 28 goals conceded in 32 matches, as well as being the fourth-highest scoring side in the division with 48 goals.

This weekend, that attack comes up against a Bolton defence that has leaked goals throughout the campaign, having conceded 49 times in 32 matches so far this season.

However, the visitors are one of the few sides in the division that have performed better in front of goal than Wrexham this year, with the Trotters netting an impressive 52 goals in the league.

The visitors come into this fixture on a high, having beaten promotion rivals Leyton Orient 2-1 last weekend, a result that moved them level on points with the O's in the standings.

With Orient suffering defeat at the hands of Birmingham in midweek, Bolton will be looking to take advantage of their recent misfortune by grabbing all three points this weekend.

The Trotters have made a positive start under new boss Steven Schumacher, with the former Plymouth Argyle manager winning three of his first five matches in charge since he replaced Ian Evatt in the dugout at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Evatt was sacked following a dip in form that saw Bolton drop out of the playoff zone after winning just three of his last nine matches in charge of the club in the league, as the club struggled to recover from missing out on promotion last year in the playoff final.

Despite falling short of expectations, Evatt did leave Bolton within touching distance of the playoff zone, and they have since moved closer to achieving their promotion dream under his successor.

Should they pick up a victory this weekend, it would be a real sign of the progress they have made in a short space of time under their new boss, and it would give the Trotters real belief that they can go on and claim promotion to the Championship come the end of the season.

However, the visitors have failed to beat Wrexham in two attempts so far this season, with the Welsh side winning 1-0 at home to Bolton in their most recent meeting in the EFL Trophy just over a fortnight ago.

Andy Cannon scored the only goal of the match to book Wrexham's spot in the semi-finals of the competition that evening, and the two teams played out a goalless draw in the reverse league fixture at the Toughsheet Community Stadium back in August.

Wrexham League One form:

D

L

W

W

L

W

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

L

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

W

W

Team News

Wrexham will be without the man that netted the winner against Bolton in the EFL Trophy earlier this month, as Cannon has been ruled out with a knee injury he suffered during the win at Mansfield last weekend.

Elsewhere, Luke Bolton (calf), Callum Burton (thigh) and Will Boyle (calf) are all out for this clash, while Elliot Lee is also a doubt for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Victor Adeboyejo could miss this match for the visitors after he limped off during the win against Leyton Orient last weekend.

In a further blow to Bolton boss Schumacher, the Trotters will also be missing Kyle Dempsey, who has been out for most of the campaign with a knee injury.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Revan, Longman, O'Connor, O'Connell, Cleworth; Rathbone, Dobson, Ashfield; Rodriguez, Smith

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Murphy, Johnston, Forrester, Cogley; Osei-Tutu, Matete, Sheehan, Morley, Schon; McAtee

We say: Wrexham 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Both sides have goals in them, and we expect this to be an entertaining match between two teams vying for promotion to the Championship.

Written by

Tom Humphrey

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