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[monks data]
Portsmouth
League One | Gameweek 16
Oct 30, 2021 at 3pm UK
Fratton Park
Bolton logo

Portsmouth
1 - 0
Bolton

Marquis (51')
FT(HT: 0-0)

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

On Saturday, Portsmouth will welcome Bolton Wanderers to Fratton Park, with the hosts looking to end a three game winless run in the league, which has left them in 16th position.

The visitors are three points better off than their opponents, but they have also struggled of late and at the weekend they will look to bring a four-game winless run to an end.


Match preview

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley pictured on May 9, 2021© Reuters

Portsmouth have struggled in League One so far this season, collecting 16 points from their 14 league games and one win in their previous 11 fixtures leaves Pompey just three points above the relegation zone.

After suffering two heavy defeats at the hands of Rotherham United and Ipswich Town, Danny Cowley's men did pick up a point from their most recent outing, drawing 2-2 away to Accrington Stanley.

The hosts took the lead when Harry Pell and Matt Butcher grabbed a goal apiece to turn the game on its head after Ronan Curtis had given Pompey the lead, but Marcus Harness scored late on to rescue a point for Cowley's side.

If Portsmouth are to move away from danger, they do need to improve defensively after conceding 14 goals in their previous six league games.

Cowley will be hopeful that his side can trouble the Bolton defence with Pompey scoring in five of their six home league matches.

Ian Evatt pictured in May 2018© Reuters

Like their opponents, Bolton have struggled of late, but they do find themselves in a better position in the League One table, as they occupy 13th place.

The Trotters halted a run of three successive defeats last weekend, when they clinched a dramatic point at home to Gillingham.

Ian Evatt's side seemed to be heading for another defeat when they went 2-0 down after 14 minutes, but Oladapo Afolayan pulled one back in the 86th minute before Kieran Lee salvaged a point in stoppage time.

A leaky defence has been an issue for the Trotters this term, and Evatt will be attempting to tighten up a backline that has shipped 25 league goals.

After two consecutive away defeats, Bolton will be hoping that they can take advantage of a struggling Portsmouth side, and with 13 goals in their eight away games, the Trotters will be confident of finding the net on Saturday.

Portsmouth League One form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D

Portsmouth form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D

Bolton Wanderers League One form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D



Team News

Wigan Athletic's Ben Amos in action with Bolton Wanderers' Eoin Doyle on October 16, 2021© Reuters

Clark Robertson is still out for Portsmouth, with the defender out injured for an extended period.

Paul Downing and Ellis Harrison are also both still unavailable due to injury, but they are nearing returns.

Meanwhile, Cowley reverted to a back four last weekend against Accrington Stanley, and the Pompey boss is expected to keep the same formation for the Bolton clash.

Bolton will be without Amadou Bakayoko, who picked up an ankle injury when he came on as a second half substitute last weekend.

George Johnston also picked up an injury last weekend and as a result, the defender had to be withdrawn at half time, but he has recovered in time to be available for selection for Saturday.

Evatt is hopeful that Eoin Doyle will be available after suffering from illness during the week.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Romeo, Raggett, Ogilvie, Brown, Morrell, Williams, Hackett-Fairchild; Harness, Curtis, Marquis

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Dixon; Isgrove, Santos, Johnston, John; Williams, Sheehan, Lee; Kachunga, Afolayan, Doyle


SM words green background

We say: Portsmouth 2-2 Bolton Wanderers

We expect goals in the contest with the two defences struggling in recent weeks, and despite both sides experiencing winless runs, we think that the teams will have have to settle for a point apiece.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 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 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Portsmouth win with a probability of 38.92%. A win for Bolton Wanderers had a probability of 33.85% and a draw had a probability of 27.2%.

The most likely scoreline for a Portsmouth win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.97%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.27%) and 2-0 (7.03%). The likeliest Bolton Wanderers win was 0-1 (10.06%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.9%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 11% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 1-0 win for Portsmouth in this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Portsmouth vs Bolton

Portsmouth
0.0%
Draw
55.6%
Bolton Wanderers
44.4%
9
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