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

On the back of a stunning 6-0 thrashing of Sunderland on Saturday, Bolton Wanderers will look to make it four wins on the bounce on Tuesday, when they welcome Cambridge United to the Macron Stadium.

The visitors also find themselves in a strong run of form, having climbed to 12th spot in the League One table thanks to a five-game unbeaten run.

Match preview

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After a mixed first half to the season, Bolton Wanderers had to endure a tough spell around the turn of the year, losing four consecutive games in League One at the hands of Fleetwood Town, Accrington Stanley, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers.

That saw Ian Evatt's side drop deep into the bottom half, but they have since turned their form around in impressive fashion, firstly halting the slump with an eye-catching 2-0 home victory over an in-form Ipswich Town side thanks to goals from Kieran Lee and Oladapo Afolayan in the final 15 minutes.

After a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Shrewsbury Town, the Trotters welcomed a Sunderland side chasing promotion last time out, and they stunned the Black Cats with an eye-catching 6-0 win, with Dion Charles hitting a brace alongside goals from Afolayan, Lee and Declan John and a Danny Batth own goal.

Now on a high following that thrashing and a climb to 14th spot, Evatt's men will look to kick on with another victory, although they face a tough test against another of the league's form sides.

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Cambridge United arrive looking to stretch their unbeaten run to six league matches, having enjoyed a climb of their own up to 12th spot.

Following their promotion from League Two last term, the U's had a relatively slow start to the new campaign, earning 26 points from their opening 23 games, but they have since enjoyed a resurgence.

Mark Bonner's side have now gone five games unbeaten in England's third tier, winning three of those, as they firstly defeated Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers after a draw with Portsmouth and a shock 1-0 away win over Premier League Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round.

Adam May's goal against Crewe Alexandra then fired them to a third straight league win, before Fleetwood Town salvaged a point on home turf on Saturday, with Paddy Lane forcing them to settle for a 1-1 draw after an Anthony Pilkington own goal had put Cambridge 1-0 up.

Team News

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After Saturday's eye-catching victory, Bolton are unlikely to change their starting XI, with Dion Charles and Oladapo Afolayan again set to lead the line after both getting among the goals in that game.

Similarly, Declan John will continue to be a threat from a wing-back role following his goal, with Marlon Fossey set to operate on the other flank.

The back three of Gethin Jones, Ricardo Santos and George Johnston has kept three consecutive clean sheets without a change, and Evatt will again be wary of shuffling his defensive options.

Cambridge United remain without star forward Joe Ironside, who has hit 12 league goals this season alongside the winner against Newcastle United, as the 28-year-old continues his recovery from an injury.

In his absence, Sam Smith should again lead the line with the support of experienced attacking midfielder Wes Hoolahan.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Fossey, Lee, Williams, John; Morely; Charles, Afolayan

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Iredale, Dunk; Lankester, Digby, May, Brophy; Hoolahan; Smith

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United

With both sides enjoying fine runs of form, Tuesday's clash could certainly go either way, and we think home advantage may be enough to swing it in the direction of the Trotters.

Following a 6-0 thrashing of the league's third-placed side, the confidence of Evatt's men will be sky-high, and we back them to make it four wins on the bounce, albeit with a tough fight throughout.

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