Wanderers play host to Kenny Jackett’s Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon in a Sky Bet League One clash at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Portsmouth currently sit in 8th place in the table on 38 points and come into the game following a 2-1 win at home to AFC Wimbledon last weekend. Pompey are undefeated in their last four games with three wins and one draw.
Team News
In his pre-match interview with bwfc.co.uk, Wanderers manager Keith Hill said that:
“There are no fresh injuries, we have managed to circumnavigate the week and we’re looking forward to the game, picking and selecting from the squad and players we have available.”
Jason Lowe will likely return to the starting line-up tomorrow after serving a three-match suspension; the Manager spoke about his return and he said:
“It’s always a boost when you are adding players of his quality to your squad.
"He has served his suspension and made himself available which I’m really pleased about that”.
The latest addition, left-sided defender Brandon Fleming who signed on loan from Hull City earlier today, is available for selection.
Head to Head
Wanderers have faced Pompey 98 times with their first-ever meeting coming on the 19th of November 1927, resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Whites.
The last meeting between the two sides earlier this season saw Portsmouth win 1-0 at Fratton Park, with the only goal of the game coming from Brett Pitman.
The Whites’ last victory against Portsmouth came in a 3-2 Premier League win away in September 2009. Tamir Cohen, Matthew Taylor and Gary Cahill were on the scoresheet that day.
Match Coverage
As usual, match updates will be provided by the club’s official twitter account (@OfficialBWFC). We will keep you up to date with the action to ensure you don’t miss a kick – delivering a match report shortly after the final whistle with post-match reaction from manager, Keith Hill.
Live commentary will also be available by the iFollow BWFC channel (subscribe via the website), with the Bolton FM team providing the coverage.
Betting Odds
Wanderers come into the game as betting underdogs at the time of writing, according to Sky Bet, being priced to win at 17/4
Portsmouth are favourites at 8/13, with a draw priced at 11/4.
Man in the Middle
Saturday afternoon’s game will be officiated by Tom Nield, with Matthew Smith, Craig Taylor and Graeme Fyvie completing the refereeing line-up.
Nield has officiated 21 matches this season, with the most recent game being a 0-0 draw between Oxford United and Ipswich Town.
So far this campaign he has handed out 62 yellow cards and two red cards.
In his five years of officiating Nield has refereed one Bolton match, which was earlier this season at Adams Park against Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign.
Key man for Portsmouth – Ronan Curtis
The main man for Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon will be Republic of Ireland forward Ronan Curtis
Curtis has scored 10 league goals and 11 goals in all competitions for Kenny Jackett’s side this season.