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

Promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers host struggling Shrewsbury Town in League One action on Saturday, looking to build on their big win in midweek.

Meanwhile, the visitors travel to the University of Bolton Stadium looking for a result to lift them out of the relegation places after losing last time out.

Match preview

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Bolton's return to League One has been largely positive up to this point under manager Ian Evatt.

After years of turbulence and financial difficulties, Evatt has been the man to bring some stability back to the club and give supporters a reason to dream of a rise up the football league again.

An initial four-match unbeaten start was followed by a mixed spell that saw the Trotters manage just the one win from five league matches, which included defeats to fellow promotion hopefuls Rotherham United and then Sunderland last weekend.

However, as mentioned above, Bolton bounced back in midweek with a comprehensive 4-1 win at troubled side Charlton Athletic, thanks to some clinical finishing in a match that was even for large periods.

After falling behind early on, Oladapo Afolayan equalised just before half time, before a second-half flurry saw the visitors take their chances, which included a brace from midfielder Kieran Lee and a late sweetener from Antoni Sarcevic.

With only three league meetings in recent years, Bolton are unbeaten against Saturday's opponents Shrewsbury in that time, but will be expected to follow up with another win against another struggling side.

Despite winning just one of their final nine matches of the 2020-21 campaign, Shrewsbury comfortably survived the threat of relegation to League Two last season.

However, the Shrews have struggled to shake off that poor finish ever since kicking off the new campaign back at the beginning of August.

After beginning with four straight defeats, Steve Cotterill's men have managed to improve slightly in recent weeks, though, with the midweek defeat being the first in four matches.

A 2-1 defeat at home to promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers was a far-from-poor result considering the calibre of opposition, but Cotterill will have felt his side deserved at least a point as a reward for their efforts and performance in the encounter.

Shrewsbury enjoyed more of the ball and a greater share of the chances but ultimately lacked the quality to be clinical with their opportunities, and after falling two goals behind midway through the second half, Matthew Pennington's goal in the 78th minute turned out to be just a consolation in a frustrating outcome.

Sitting in 21st place, Town now head to another promotion candidate on Saturday looking for a result to lift them out of the relegation zone.

Team News

After missing the last seven matches with a calf injury, Amadou Bakayoko looks set to return for Bolton on Saturday after returning to training on Thursday.

Winger Lloyd Isgrove is also expected to return after missing the midweek win over Charlton due to a head injury.

However, Xavier Amaechi remains unavailable, with the young forward still having another month on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a broken foot.

Meanwhile, visitors Shrewsbury look set to be without at least two players for the trip to the University of Bolton Stadium.

Forward Joshua Daniels is expected to remain out, with the manager stating he is "probably a no", when asked on his availability.

Important midfielder Josh Vela is unlikely to return against his former side, with a place on the bench the best he could hope for according to his manager.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Dixon; Jones, Ricardo, Johnston, John; J. Williams, Lee; Isgrove, Sarcevic, Afolayan; Doyle

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre; Bennett, Davis, Leahy, Nurse; Whalley; Bowman, Cosgrove

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Shrewsbury Town

Bolton have struggled at home this season but the difference in quality should show here against a struggling Shrewsbury side. We are predicting a narrow victory for the hosts, to lift them back into the playoff places and pile more misery on their visitors.

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