Stumbling playoff hopefuls Bolton Wanderers are set to host relegation-threatened Cambridge United at the Toughsheet Community Stadium this Saturday in League One.
The Trotters will be looking for a win to bring them some stability amidst a run of mixed form, while the U's will be desperate for points to avoid being cut adrift in the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Ian Evatt's Bolton have alternated between wins and losses over their last six matches, and the manager's job has come under pressure after they dropped to 10th in the league - four points behind Reading in the final playoff spot.
Taking 37 points from their 24 games to date, the Trotters have come in for scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, who claim that Evatt's possession-based playstyle has led to uncertainty and distrust in the dressing room and on the pitch.
However, the boss hit back at such comments this week by stating that his methods can bring success to the Toughseet Community Stadium in the second part of the season, and that the players are fully on board with his ideas.
Last time out, Saturday's hosts beat fellow League One side Lincoln City 1-0 in the EFL Trophy, but it remains to be seen whether they can build on that narrow win to correct their inconsistency, as well as make amends for a number of hard-to-swallow defeats in recent weeks.
On a positive note, it is commendable that Evatt's team have scored in each of their last six matches in spite of their mixed results, and this should give fans some confidence that Bolton can secure all three points this weekend when they take on one of the favourites for relegation this season.
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Meanwhile, Garry Monk's Cambridge are 23rd in League One, and are now eight points behind 20th-placed Bristol Rovers – the first team outside of the relegation zone – after losing 1-0 at home to the Gas on January 4.
To make matters worse, the U's also have the worst form in the entire division following a run of five consecutive losses in which they conceded 12 goals and scored just two, though the manager did receive public backing from the club's ownership earlier this month.
The owners cited injury and budget restrictions on the squad as reasons for Cambridge's misfortune, and to be fair to the visitors, they have produced 35 shots across their last two games, and may consider themselves unlucky to have lost both.
In the reverse fixture back in late November, Monk's side managed to draw 1-1 with Bolton thanks to an 89th-minute equaliser from Sullay Kaikai that cancelled out Aaron Collins's goal on the hour mark.
This weekend, a draw would give Cambridge their best result for more than a month, as they have lost all of their matches since their 2-2 draw with Wrexham on December 14.
That being said, the U's last kept a clean sheet in November, and given their lacklustre goalscoring record, it will be a major challenge for them to avoid yet another defeat on Saturday.
Team News
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Bolton can be expected to line up with John McAtee and Aaron Collins up front after Dion Charles completed a move to promotion rivals Huddersfield Town earlier this week.
Elsewhere, Evatt said that right-sided defender Chris Forino, who has been out since September, is 'not too far away' from a return to action, while Eoin Toal will be back in contention next week.
In the meantime, the boss is likely to start William Forrester, Ricardo Santos and George Johnston in defence once again.
On the other hand, Welsh midfielder Josh Sheehan is available for selection, though he may start on the bench as he builds fitness after a month out.
As for Cambridge, centre-back Michael Morrison will miss the match through suspension after his dismissal against the Gas, so Kelland Watts is likely to line up alongside Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Danny Andrew at the back.
Monk has said that newly-signed goalkeeper Marko Marosi will be in the squad against Bolton, though Jack Stevens can be expected to start between the sticks after first-choice stopper Vicente Reyes was unexpectedly recalled by parent club Norwich City.
Additionally, former Trotters forward Dan N'Lundulu was withdrawn with an injury against Bristol Rovers, and he may be replaced in the lineup by Ryan Loft.
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Forrester, Santos, Johnston; Williams, Morley, Randall, Thomason, Schon; Collins, McAtee
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; Rossi, Watts, Andrew; Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy; Stokes, Kachunga, Loft
We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Cambridge United
Bolton have scored in each of their last six matches, and they are almost certain to continue that record against Cambridge given the visitors' poor defensive displays this term.
Also, with the U's lacking goals to show for their offensive effort, it is difficult to picture them making a comeback once they have gone behind, so anticipate a sixth consecutive defeat for Monk's side on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
