Bolton Wanderers make the short trip to Fleetwood Town on Saturday afternoon looking for the victory which may move the club into the League One playoff spots.

At a time when the visitors sit in seventh position in the standings, Fleetwood are down in 16th spot, albeit on a four-match unbeaten run.

Match preview

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Bolton have emerged as one of the EFL's most inconsistent sides this campaign, mixing similarly-sized winning streaks and runs without success in equal measure.

Nevertheless, although there was disappointment over the FA Cup exit to Barnsley, Bolton still remain very much in contention for the top six in League One.

That is despite just two wins coming from their most recent seven outings, those triumphs coming against lowly Accrington Stanley and Burton Albion, and Ian Evatt's side were also held by an out-of-form Cambridge United outfit last weekend.

On a positive note, a clean sheet was kept after shipping six times in three league matches, but Bolton need to find a way of scoring more goals on a regular basis having barely netted at a rate of one per match in the third tier.

Bolton travel to the North West coast with just six goals from eight away fixtures, something which will only encourage their hosts who also need to find an extra gear.

Scott Brown will continue to have mixed feelings over 10 of his 18 league matches in charge ending in stalemate, yet the current state of play is Fleetwood being eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Having finished in 20th spot during 2021-22, Fleetwood can be satisfied with their current 16th spot, but a couple of wins in succession would catapult them into playoff contention.

The signs are encouraging with the Cods on a five-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, their latest share of the spoils coming last weekend as they netted a last-gasp equaliser at Bristol Rovers.

That ensured that Fleetwood's win-draw-loss record on their travels is identical to that at Highbury, and they will need to improve on two wins and five draws on familiar territory.

Team News

Brown is unlikely to make many changes from the team which dramatically salvaged a point at Bristol Rovers.

Daniel Batty may be restored in central midfield, taking the spot of Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, while Promise Omochere or Joe Garner could feature in the final third.

Drew Baker should retain his spot on the right-hand side of the back three ahead of Harrison Holgate.

Bolton will be forced into a change in midfield after Kyle Dempsey was dismissed for two yellow cards at Cambridge.

George Thomason is in line to take his spot in the centre of the pitch, while Oladapo Afolayan is an alternative in attack.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Baker, Nsiala, Earl; Rooney, Batty, Vela, Warrington, Andrew; Gomes, Morton

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Thomason, Iredale; Kachunga; Charles, Afolayan

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

Even having failed to win either of their last two fixtures, Bolton are the marginal favourites to prevail on Saturday. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the amount of draws that Fleetwood record, leading us to predict another competitive share of the spoils.

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