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Bolton logo
League One | Gameweek 42
Apr 1, 2024 at 3pm UK
University of Bolton Stadium
Reading logo

Bolton
5 - 2
Reading

Collins (11', 45+4' pen., 77'), Dadi Bodvarsson (49', 90+5')
Ogbeta (16'), Sheehan (53')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Wing (40'), Mukairu (90+2')

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

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

Bolton Wanderers will be looking to boost their promotion bid when they play host to Reading in Monday's League One contest.

Reading, who currently occupy 17th position, will be looking to claim a third consecutive victory after enjoying successful outings against Cambridge United and Northampton Town.


Match preview

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

Bolton's promotion bid is in need of some much-needed impetus after winning just three of their last 10 league games (D3, L4).

They have also won just one of their previous five matches, with that sole victory taking place in a comfortable home outing against Oxford United earlier this month.

After thrashing the U's 5-0, the Trotters went on to lose 1-0 to promotion rivals Derby County, before they played out a goalless draw in Friday's home meeting with Stevenage.

As a result of their underwhelming spell of form, Ian Evatt's side are sitting in third position and six points adrift of second-placed Derby County, who have played a game more.

They will at least fancy their chances of closing that gap on Monday, having won six of their last eight home league matches (D2).

Reading manager Ruben Selles reacts on January 23, 2024© Reuters

Despite having to work with a six-point deduction, Reading are well set to secure League One survival after claiming back-to-back home victories.

Ruben Selles's side produced a dominant display to sweep past Cambridge via a 4-0 scoreline, before they edged out Northampton in Friday's encounter.

Substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory, ensuring that Reading will enter the final six fixtures in 17th place and six points clear of the drop zone.

While they have collected consecutive home wins, the Royals have experienced a mixed run of form on their travels, having won one, drawn one and lost two of their last four away matches.

The visitors will enter Monday's fixture with hopes of completing a league double over the Trotters after they fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 in September's reverse fixture.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Reading League One form:


Team News

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

Bolton are unable to call upon goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and forward Dion Charles due to their respective injury issues.

Gethin Jones missed Friday's draw with a hip issue, and the Australia international is unlikely to return for Monday's home fixture.

George Johnston recently returned to full training, but he remains unavailable after spending the last nine to 10 months on the sidelines.

As for the visitors, they are set to welcome back defender Andy Yiadom, who is in contention to start after serving a one-match suspension.

Buoyed from scoring the winner in his substitute appearance against Northampton, Ehibhatiomhan could be rewarded with a starting berth for Monday's contest.

Sam Smith will continue to lead the line for the Royals, with the forward looking to add to the 11 goals that he has scored this season.


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

Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Savage, Wing; Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith


SM words green background

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Reading

Although Bolton have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, they tend to perform well on home turf, and we think that they will make full use of home advantage to record a narrow victory in Monday's encounter.



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




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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Bolton vs Reading

Bolton Wanderers
50.0%
Draw
28.1%
Reading
21.9%
32
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Derby County's James Collins celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 8, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham23165241172453
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe25156450272351
3Wrexham25156437181951
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield24145537191847
5Barnsley2512673933642
6Reading2412573933641
7Stockport CountyStockport25108737271038
8Leyton Orient24114932221037
9Mansfield TownMansfield2311483126537
10Bolton WanderersBolton2311483534137
11Charlton AthleticCharlton239772721634
12Lincoln CityLincoln258892830-232
13Stevenage238781820-231
14Exeter CityExeter2494112831-331
15Blackpool247983235-330
16Rotherham UnitedRotherham237792123-228
17Wigan AthleticWigan2376102123-227
18Northampton TownNorthampton2568112439-1526
19Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2474134146-525
20Bristol Rovers2474132238-1625
21Crawley TownCrawley2355132443-1920
22Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2445152444-2017
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2445152243-2117
24Burton Albion2428142038-1814


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