Bolton Wanderers and Barrow will battle it out for a place in the 2022-23 EFL Trophy round of 16 on Tuesday at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The teams got back to winning ways last time out and will head into this one full of confidence, which should make for an absorbing affair.

Match preview

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt approaches referee Samuel Barrott at half time on April 2, 2022 © Reuters

Bolton Wanderers saw off the threat of Fleetwood Town in a narrow 2-1 victory on Saturday when the teams went head-to-head at Highbury Stadium.

Ian Evatt's men fell behind to Carlos Mendes's opener after just 15 minutes, but they managed to hit back through late goals from Conor Bradley and Oladapo Afolayan.

As a result, the Trotters have moved up to fifth place in the League One table with a tally of 31 points this term, 10 behind Ipswich Town in the race for automatic promotion.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing side who have failed to come out on top in any of the most recent four meetings between the teams since winning the first-ever encounter back in 2010.

Off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run on home turf between August 30 and October 25, Tuesday's hosts have been beaten in consecutive matches in front of their fans and now set out to get themselves back on track.

Barrow made it four straight league wins on their own patch thanks to a convincing 3-1 victory over Hartlepool United at Holker Street on Saturday.

Pete Wild's men raced to a three-goal lead early on through strikes from Josh Gordon, Ben Whitfield and Billy Waters before Christopher Missilou pulled one back in the 77th minute.

The Bluebirds now sit fourth in the League Two table after the first 19 rounds of matches, four points adrift of Northampton town in the final automatic qualification spot.

Having been beaten in three of their last four matches on the road, Tuesday's visitors are enduring a rough patch at the moment, although they did emerge victorious in their most recent away outing in the EFL Trophy.

Bolton Wanderers EFL Trophy form:

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

Barrow EFL Trophy form:

Barrow form (all competitions):

Team News

With six goals in as many matches for Barrow leading up to Tuesday's clash, 28-year-old Billy Waters is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Patrick Brough was handed a first start since the turn of the month last time out, and the midfielder will be pushing to retain is place in the XI following a fine performance.

Bolton Wanderers' Kyle Dempsey could return to the lineup for this one after serving a one-game suspension in the victory over Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Oladapo Afolayan was on target in the last edition of this fixture, and the Englishman will be aiming to deliver the goods for the hosts once again, having recently ended a four-match goal drought.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Johnston, Santos, Jones; Beck, Thomason, Morley, Bradley; Afolayan, Charles, Kachunga

Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Warren, Ray, Canavan, Brough; White, Neal; Whitfield, Waters, Kay; Gordon

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We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Barrow

There is very little separating the teams ahead of this one, and the contest could easily swing either way. However, we just about fancy the hosts to rise to the occasion and carry the day in front of an expectant home support come the end of the 90 minutes.

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Top tip

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