Bolton Wanderers host Oxford United in front of the Sky Sports cameras in a game which has implications on both the automatic promotion spots as well as the play-offs.
It’s an important game for both, who at this point of the season are still in with a chance of promotion. Though Bolton’s chances are far greater than that of Oxford’s, the U’s will be looking to make a late charge to claim one of the final spots in the play-offs.
Des Buckingham’s side picked up a huge three points against a tough Cheltenham Town side on Saturday, with a late Greg Leigh strike helping them to victory. Having not won any of their previous four, Oxford have slipped out of the play-off places but are now just one point off of Stevenage in sixth, that late win could well start a winning run.
They do however have a very hard task on Tuesday night in the form of Bolton Wanderers. Although Ian Evatt’s side may have had some struggles of late, they are still just five points off of table toppers Portsmouth and one point off of Derby County in second.
If the Wanderers want to maintain any sort of chance of winning the League One title this season then this is simply a must-win game.
With that in mind, here’s three things to look out for as Bolton Wanderers host Oxford United…
A depleted Bolton side
It has been well documented in recent weeks just how many injuries Bolton currently have. Ian Evatt has very few players to choose from at the minute and it really is a bare bones squad. Most recently, it was announced that Victor Adeboyejo will be out for 4-6 weeks, which has rubbed further salt into the wounds.
They’re incredibly thin in the attacking areas with Dion Charles also looking unlikely to play any part in this one. If Bolton are able to make it through the next couple of games and stay in touch with the top two then they’ve got a great chance of automatic promotion when back to full strength. The injury list may well take it’s toll though.
A more confident Oxford
After picking up three points on the weekend after a four-match winless run, confidence in the Oxford camp would’ve certainly been boosted. Cheltenham may well be towards the bottom of the table but they are by no means a pushover.
That win, combined with the previously mentioned injury problems that Bolton currently have could well positively impact how Oxford play. It’s no secret that they’ve struggled lately and the performances haven’t been very attractive, but if able to get something from this then they could well be a different team in the final stretch. It’s all about how they utilise that winning momentum from the weekend.
Who Evatt chooses to start up top
With both Adeboyejo and Charles set to miss this one, Evatt’s picks in the forward areas will be intriguing. Aaron Collins has been given a number of starts since his big January move from Bristol Rovers but only has one goal and two assists in his opening ten games for the club.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has also seen an increase in minutes in recent weeks yet he is hardly the most prolific. Speaking of forwards who are struggling, the Wanderers also have Cameron Jerome in their ranks, who is yet to score this season.
Bolton have chosen to operate with two strikers for the majority of the season but Evatt may well choose to switch up the formation to spark a change. Collins seems the likeliest starter but Bodvarsson may well play alongside him.
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