MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 18:47:34| >> :120:77626:77626:
[monks data]
Bolton logo
League One | Gameweek 44
Apr 13, 2024 at 3pm UK
University of Bolton Stadium
Portsmouth

Bolton
1 - 1
Portsmouth

Collins (36')
Toal (32'), Santos (88'), Jerome (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Kamara (7')
Lang (14')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Portsmouth will attempt to secure promotion to the Championship when they face Bolton Wanderers in Saturday's clash at Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Trotters will be hoping to claim all three points to boost their own chances of winning promotion from League One.


Match preview

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt on January 7, 2024© Reuters

Having racked up 81 points from 42 matches, Bolton are sitting in third spot and two points adrift of second-placed Derby County, who have played a game more.

After thrashing Reading 5-2 in their most recent home outing, Bolton went on to claim three more points in last Saturday's away clash with Bristol Rovers.

The Trotters played out a goalless first half against the Gas, before Archie Collins and Aaron Morley found the net to secure a 2-0 victory.

Although they face a tough test this weekend, Bolton have managed to avoid defeat in nine consecutive league games since losing to Bristol Rovers in December.

Ian Evatt's side have the chance to record four successive home league wins for the first time since February 2023, having beaten Cambridge United, Oxford United and Reading in their last three home outings.

Portsmouth are currently sitting top of the League One table with a seven-point cushion to Derby and an eight-point advantage over Bolton.

Pompey extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches with a commanding 3-1 victory in last Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury Town.

A Chey Dunkley own goal was cancelled out by Jordan Shipley, before Colby Bishop netted a brace to secure Portsmouth's fourth victory in five matches.

John Mousinho's side know that they can seal promotion and the league title with a win on Saturday, but even if they fail to collect all three points, they could still be promoted depending on results elsewhere.

Although they are set to face the division's second-highest scorers, Pompey will still be confident of producing a strong defensive display after conceding just 13 goals in 21 away league matches this season.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Portsmouth League One form:


Team News

Bolton Wanderers' Kyle Dempsey and teammates before the match on January 7, 2024© Reuters

Ricardo Santos and Josh Sheehan picked up calf and hamstring issues in the recent win over Bristol Rovers, but the pair are expected to be ready to start Saturday's crucial fixture.

Bolton's top scorer Dion Charles will only be fit for a place on the bench, having been sidelined for the last two months due to a knee injury.

Goalkeeper Nathan Baxter will retain his place after returning from injury to keep a clean sheet against the Gas last weekend.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon Tom McIntyre, Regan Poole, Tom Lowery, Joe Morrell, Alex Robertson and Terry Devlin.

Christian Saydee could be recalled to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench for the win over Shrewsbury.

Bishop will be looking to continue his impressive form, having scored 20 goals in 40 league matches this season, leaving him three goals short of the division's top scorer, Charlton Athletic's Alfie May.


Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Toal, Santos, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Collins, Bodvarsson

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Norris; Swanson, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Pack, Moxon; Kamara, Saydee, Lane; Bishop


SM words green background

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth

Pompey may won four of their previous five matches, but we think that they will have to settle for a draw, with Bolton currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten home league run.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:541136:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10054:
Written by
Ben Sully

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bolton vs Portsmouth

Bolton Wanderers
54.2%
Draw
4.2%
Portsmouth
41.7%
24
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
General view of Portsmouth's Fratton Park from March 2017
Read Next:
Saturday's League One predictions including Portsmouth vs. Shrewsbury Town
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe20135243222144
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham21126331141742
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield20123534181639
5Stockport CountyStockport21106534221236
6Lincoln CityLincoln218762825331
7Reading209473030031
8Bolton WanderersBolton199462829-131
9Barnsley218672930-130
10Mansfield TownMansfield198472322128
11Charlton AthleticCharlton207672319427
12Blackpool207672931-227
13Exeter CityExeter208391922-327
14Stevenage197571517-226
15Leyton Orient207492320325
16Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2073103837124
17Wigan AthleticWigan206681918124
18Rotherham UnitedRotherham196581921-223
19Bristol Rovers2064101829-1122
20Northampton TownNorthampton2156102134-1321
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge2045112035-1517
23Burton Albion2026121732-1512
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2033142141-2012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!