Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Reading

Sports Mole previews Monday’s League One clash between Bolton Wanderers and Reading, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bolton Wanderers will be looking to boost their promotion bid when they play host to Reading in Monday’s League One contest.

Reading, who currently occupy 17th position, will be looking to claim a third consecutive victory after enjoying successful outings against Cambridge United and Northampton Town.

Match preview
© Reuters

Bolton’s promotion bid is in need of some much-needed impetus after winning just three of their last 10 league games (D3, L4).

They have also won just one of their previous five matches, with that sole victory taking place in a comfortable home outing against Oxford United earlier this month.

After thrashing the U’s 5-0, the Trotters went on to lose 1-0 to promotion rivals Derby County, before they played out a goalless draw in Friday’s home meeting with Stevenage.

As a result of their underwhelming spell of form, Ian Evatt’s side are sitting in third position and six points adrift of second-placed Derby County, who have played a game more.

They will at least fancy their chances of closing that gap on Monday, having won six of their last eight home league matches (D2).

Despite having to work with a six-point deduction, Reading are well set to secure League One survival after claiming back-to-back home victories.

Ruben Selles’s side produced a dominant display to sweep past Cambridge via a 4-0 scoreline, before they edged out Northampton in Friday’s encounter.

Substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory, ensuring Reading will enter the final six fixtures in 17th place and six points clear of the drop zone.

While they have collected consecutive home wins, the Royals have experienced a mixed run of form on their travels, having won one, drawn one and lost two of their last four away matches.

The visitors will enter Monday’s fixture with hopes of completing a league double over the Trotters after they fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 in September’s reverse fixture.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Reading League One form:

Team News
© Reuters

Bolton are unable to call upon goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and forward Dion Charles due to their respective injury issues.

Gethin Jones missed Friday’s draw with a hip issue, and the Australia international is unlikely to return for Monday’s home fixture.

George Johnston recently returned to full training, but he remains unavailable after spending the last nine to 10 months on the sidelines.

As for the visitors, they are set to welcome back defender Andy Yiadom, who is in contention to start after serving a one-match suspension.

Buoyed from scoring the winner in his substitute appearance against Northampton, Ehibhatiomhan could be rewarded with a starting berth for Monday’s contest.

Sam Smith will continue to lead the line for the Royals, with the forward looking to add to the 11 goals he has scored this season.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Coleman; Forrester, Santos, Toal; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Collins, Bodvarsson

Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Savage, Wing; Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Reading
Although Bolton have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, they tend to perform well on home turf, and we think they will make full use of home advantage to record a narrow victory in Monday’s encounter.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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