MX23RW : Monday, January 23 03:59:22| >> :120:32604:32604:
[monks data]
Jan 14, 2023 at 3pm UK at University of Bolton Stadium
Bolton
3 - 0
Portsmouth
Charles (15'), Lee (48'), Toal (71')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Morrell (85')

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.

Four days after Bolton Wanderers knocked Portsmouth out of the EFL Trophy, the two sides will resume battle when they go head-to-head in League One on Saturday.

The Trotters currently sit in the playoff places, while Pompey are 10 points worse off than their opponents, although they have played three games fewer than the Trotters.


Match preview

Bolton Wanderers' Dion Charles celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on August 23, 2022© Reuters

Bolton extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 win over Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's 17th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, securing Bolton a place in the semi-finals.

The hosts will be looking to replicate that result on Saturday as they look to cement their position in the playoff places, with Bolton currently residing in fifth position.

Although Ian Evatt may have been frustrated with three of Bolton's last four league games finishing level, his side are currently three points better off than Wycombe Wanderers, who sit just outside the playoffs in seventh place.

Bolton have proven to be a tough team to break down at home this season, and as well as boasting the best defensive home record in the league, they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five competitive games at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Portsmouth caretaker manager Simon Bassey on January 7, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, Portsmouth are currently without a permanent manager after Danny Cowley was sacked following the club's most recent league match, which resulted in a 3-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic.

Since that result, interim boss Simon Bassey has overseen consecutive 1-0 defeats - the first to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, before they were beaten by Bolton on Tuesday.

While Pompey have now lost their last three games in all competitions, they are also winless in nine league matches since beating Forest Green Rovers on October 22.

As a result of their poor form, Pompey have dropped down to 13th place in the league table, with nine points separating them from the playoff places.

Portsmouth can draw inspiration from their recent head-to-head record with Bolton in League One after winning three and drawing one of their last four meetings against the Trotters in the third tier.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:


Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):


Portsmouth League One form:


Portsmouth form (all competitions):



Team News

 Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt on August 23, 2022© Reuters

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Jack Iredale due to a knee injury, while Dapo Afolayan is ruled out through suspension.

Dan N'Lundulu has recently joined on loan from Portsmouth's local rivals Southampton, and after being cup-tied for Tuesday's game, he is expected to feature among the substitutes on Saturday.

Evatt made a number of changes for the EFL Trophy quarter-final in midweek, but he could revert back to the same lineup that started the goalless draw against league leaders Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

As for Portsmouth, they are still without the services of Jayden Reid, Joe Rafferty, Tom Lowery and Clark Robertson due to injury issues, while Marlon Pack is suspended.

The visitors will be forced into a change of goalkeeper, with Josh Oluwayemi set to replace Joshua Griffiths, who has been recalled from his loan spell by parent club West Bromwich Albion.

January signing Ryley Towler was cup-tied for the EFL Trophy defeat in midweek, but he is expected to feature on the bench for Saturday's contest.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Toal, Aimson, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Dempsey, Williams; Bodvarsson, Lee, Charles

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Oluwayemi; Swanson, Raggett, Ogilvie, Hume; Dale, Tunnicliffe, Morrell, Hackett; Bishop, Scarlett


SM words green background

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth

While Bolton managed to get the better of Portsmouth on Tuesday, Pompey are unbeaten in their last four League One meetings against the Trotters, and we think that they will extend that run by holding their hosts to a draw on Saturday.


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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Bolton vs Portsmouth

Bolton Wanderers
76.9%
Draw
15.4%
Portsmouth
7.7%
13
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Plymouth ArgylePlymouth28187351292261
2Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds27177347182958
3Ipswich TownIpswich27149449282151
4Derby CountyDerby26138538201847
5Bolton WanderersBolton27128734221244
6Barnsley2513483324943
7Peterborough UnitedPeterborough251221141311038
8Wycombe WanderersWycombe26115103327638
9Bristol Rovers27107104245-337
10Oxford UnitedOxford Utd269893329435
11Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury26105113230235
12Exeter CityExeter2798103939035
13Port Vale25105102734-735
14Charlton AthleticCharlton2681084036434
15Portsmouth2481063130134
16Lincoln CityLincoln2561272430-630
17Fleetwood TownFleetwood2661192928129
18Cheltenham TownCheltenham2684142334-1128
19MK Dons2674152537-1225
20Accrington StanleyAccrington2567122441-1725
21Morecambe2559112635-924
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge2673162346-2324
23Burton Albion2657143254-2222
24Forest Green RoversForest Green2756162352-2921

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