Seeking to boost their hopes of promotion from League One, Bolton Wanderers play host to Ipswich Town at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While the hosts are on the hunt to secure their sixth straight home victory in the third tier, the visitors are looking to claim back-to-back away league wins for the first time since the beginning of September.
Match preview
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Since booking their place at Wembley with an 2-0 EFL Trophy semi-final victory over Accrington Stanley at the end of February, Bolton have only accumulated four points from their last three League One matches, failing to win their last two against Portsmouth and Morecambe.
A 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth – a game they were leading 1-0 heading into the final 20 minutes – was followed just four days later by a frustrating goalless stalemate at relegation-threatened Morecambe last weekend.
Hopes of securing an automatic promotion place have faded in recent weeks, with Ian Evatt's side dropping down to fifth place in the table and slipping 11 points behind second-placed Plymouth Argyle, who have a game in hand, while there is still work to be done to secure a top-six finish as Wycombe Wanderers in seventh are only six points behind with two games in hand.
After playing four of their last five games on the road, Bolton will welcome a return to home soil, where they have won each of their last six matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 13-1.
The Trotters won 2-0 at home against Ipswich last season and victory on Saturday would see them record back-to-back home league wins over the Tractor Boys for the first time in their history.
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Ipswich, meanwhile, have put together a strong run of form over the last four weeks, accumulating 13 points from a possible 15 available and winning each of their last four league games without reply in the process.
Within the space of four days, the Tractor Boys won two home games and scored seven goals, thrashing Burton Albion 4-0 last Saturday before securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Accrington on Tuesday, courtesy of strikes from Nathan Broadhead, Kayden Jackson and Kyle Edwards.
Kieran McKenna's side, who have only lost four of their 35 League One matches this season, are on the cusp of securing at least a playoff spot, but moving into the automatic promotion places or even winning the title cannot be completed ruled out as they sit only five points behind Sheffield Wednesday at the summit and Plymouth in second.
Only Sheffield Wednesday (31) have picked up more points away from home than Ipswich (30) in the third tier so far this season, but the Tractor Boys have endured a difficult period on the road in recent months, winning just one of their last eight away games in all competitions.
Ipswich now face a challenging run of five successive fixtures against teams inside the top nine of the League One table, and success over Bolton is not guaranteed this weekend having failed to win their last three league meetings with the Trotters, including a 1-1 home draw back in July.
Team News
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Bolton boss Evatt has confirmed that attacking duo Victor Adeboyejo and Cameron Jerome are available for selection following spells out with respective hamstring and back injuries, although Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Jack Iredale remain long-term absentees.
George Johnston (ankle) and MJ Williams (knee) have made progress in their rehabilitation from injury, but will not recover in time for Saturday's game, while injury-plagued Lloyd Isgrove is closing in on a return to first-team action after scoring in a 3-2 friendly win for the B Team in midweek.
Randall Williams could replace Declan John at left wing-back, while Manchester United loanee Shola Shoretire will be hoping to retain his place in attack alongside top scorer Dion Charles.
As for Ipswich, McKenna has revealed that Dominic Ball and Tyreece John-Jules have both stepped up their recovery from respective knee and hamstring injuries, although Saturday's match will come too soon for the pair.
McKenna may consider chances on the right flank, with full-back Harry Clarke and winger Wes Burns both pushing for recalls ahead of Janoi Donacien and Jackson respectively.
Conor Chaplin – who has contributed to 20 goals (16 goals and four assists) in 34 league appearances this season – is set to continue in behind central striker Freddie Ladapo.
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Toal, Ricardo, Mbete; Bradley, Sheehan, Morley, Williams; Dempsey; Shoretire, Charles
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead; Ladapo
We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Ipswich Town
The momentum is with Ipswich heading into Saturday's contest, with their prolific form in attack and resilient performances at the back making then a real force to be reckoned with as they enter the final quarter of the campaign.
Bolton, meanwhile, have gone off the boil in recent weeks, but having put together an unbeaten run of 12 matches on home soil, the Trotters could frustrate the visitors in a closely-fought score draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
