Automatic promotion-hunting Bolton Wanderers host relegation-battling Port Vale on Saturday afternoon at the University of Bolton Stadium in League One.
The hosts sit in third and know that any dropped points could officially end their hopes of finishing in the top two this season, while the 22nd-placed visitors must win to ensure that their fight for survival goes to the final day.
Match preview
© Reuters
Bolton come into this game having enjoyed a brilliant season so far under Ian Evatt, already accumulating two more points than they managed in the entirety of last season with two more matches still to play.
Despite that improvement, they sit three points behind Derby County, who currently hold the final automatic promotion spot in second place, leaving the race for the second automatic promotion place out of Bolton's hands.
Bolton's final two fixtures see them host relegation candidates Port Vale before making the trip to face fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United, who currently sit three points behind Evatt's men with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Derby face two sides within the bottom six as they come up against Cambridge United and Carlisle United, meaning Bolton can only hope for a big upset and to win their own two games if they are to move above Paul Warne's side.
Should Bolton drop points this weekend then their dreams of going up automatically could be over before the final day, if Derby manage to better their result on Saturday.
The Trotters must first and foremost focus on holding up their end of the bargain, then, starting with this upcoming match against Port Vale, who are sure to put up a fight as they are currently staring down the barrel of relegation.
© Reuters
Having initially started the season well, finding themselves in the playoff positions at matchday nine, Port Vale quickly plummeted down the table and sat within the relegation zone by matchday 21.
A slight improvement in December saw a brief rise into mid-table, but Andy Crosby was unable to sustain that upturn in form as they once again returned to the bottom four.
Darren Moore was brought in midway through February in an attempt to turn the tide, but his efforts have gone amiss as Port Vale have won just two of his 15 matches in charge of the club.
That has seen them placed in a dire position with just two games left of the season as they trail Burton Albion by three points, with their fixtures facing them up against Bolton and then a potential relegation six-pointer with Cambridge United.
A loss in this one could see Port Vale's relegation confirmed if Burton are to pick up any points, while defeat coupled with a win for Cheltenham Town would also condemn them to League Two football next season regardless of what Burton do, leaving Moore's men in desperate need of a result.
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts enter into this match with just a single player out due to injury.
Carlos Gomes has been out since a 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in February and remains unavailable for this one.
Daniel N'Lundulu, Caleb Taylor and Dion Charles have all returned from injuries in recent weeks and could be reinstated into the starting 11 for this game.
As for the visitors, they will be without forward Josh Thomas due to an ongoing injury.
Ethan Chislett and Thomas Sang were both forced off in Port Vale's last outing against Wycombe Wanderers and remain as doubts for this match.
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Forrester, Toal, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Maghoma, Dempsey, Thomason, Ogbeta; Jerome, Collins
Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Ripley; Debrah, Smith, Iacovitti; Walters, Ojo, Garrity, Plant; Weir; Loft, Dipepa
We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Port Vale
Bolton head into this game as the clear favourites, boasting more than double Port Vale's points tally this season.
The hosts have not lost in this fixture since a 6-3 defeat in December 2020, and we expect them to continue that unbeaten run with a victory here, in a must-win match for both sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
