Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Bolton Wanderers square off against Blackpool on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them into the top 10 of the League One table.
Meanwhile, the visitors make the short trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium looking to end a prolonged winless streak that has left them in 18th place.
Match preview
On the back of losing last season’s playoff final, it should have come as no surprise that Bolton struggled to get going during the early weeks of the season.
However, three wins from their last five outings have kickstarted their campaign, Bolton now sitting in 11th place and just three points adrift of the top six.
That said, Ian Evatt has the task of lifting his players after they suffered a demoralising 5-0 reverse at the hands of Stockport County last time out.
With their opponents on that occasion bouncing back from their own 5-0 defeat in their previous game, it was a performance and outcome that was unforeseen by the Trotters.
Bolton now return to familiar territory where they have managed to put together a four-match unbeaten streak, with back-to-back successes being posted over Burton Albion and Peterborough United.
As for Blackpool, Steve Bruce is under pressure to get the Seasiders back on track with his early impact at the club now long forgotten.
Blackpool have accumulated just three points from their last seven fixtures in the third tier, resulting in them dropping down to 18th position.
Furthermore, Blackpool now possess the worst defensive record in the division with 28 goals being conceded in 15 games, that despite a goalless draw against Northampton Town last time out.
A total of 10 strikes have been shipped in their last three away fixtures in the league, including a 3-0 reverse at Northampton Town in their most recent such game.
Bolton Wanderers League One form:
Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):
Blackpool League One form:
Blackpool form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Jordi Osei-Tutu and Aaron Collins are both options to come into the Bolton XI in defence and attack respectively.
Gethin Jones may also be handed his first league start of the campaign having come through the recent EFL Trophy fixture against Fleetwood Town.
Bruce is expected to stick with the majority of the Blackpool side that started the goalless draw against Northampton Town.
However, Bruce must decide whether he wants to hand a first start to 17-year-old Terry Bondo, who got 41 minutes of action in the last game.
If Albie Morgan is fit enough to return from injury, the midfielder is likely to feature among the replacements.
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Dacres-Cogley, Forrester, Santos, Johnston, Osei-Tutu; McAtee, Matete, Sheehan; Charles, Collins
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
O’Donnell; Lawrence-Gabriel, Offiah, Casey, Husband; Apter, Evans, Finnigan, Hamilton; Joseph, Rhodes
We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Blackpool
Bruce will hope that facing a North-West rival will inspire his side against the odds. However, we can only see a home win here, albeit in a competitive contest that may be decided in the closing stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
