It’s a clash of the Wanderers at Adams Park this weekend, with both sides looking to pick themselves back up following disappointing defeats in the Emirates FA Cup recently.
Wycombe bowed out at the hands of League Two Hartlepool United, with Ian Evatt’s men losing at National League Stockport County during the week. Saturday presents an opportunity for both teams to register a morale-boosting three points.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side had held a 100% league record at Adams Park this season up until a recent defeat to a resurgent Ipswich Town side, and since then they have lost three out of their last four matches in all competitions. All three of which on their own patch, against Burton Albion, Portsmouth, and the aforementioned Hartlepool United.
Bolton’s form has been patchy since early October, and despite a 2-0 home victory against Crewe Alexandra in their last league encounter, Ian Evatt’s side haven’t won on their travels in the league since a 4-1 midweek thrashing of Charlton Athletic at The Valley at the end of September.
Pre-match quotes: From the bosses
Ian Evatt: “We had a good result against Crewe in the last league fixture and we have to make sure we go to Wycombe and give a better account of ourselves than we did on Wednesday night.
“Wycombe are going to challenge everything we’ve struggled against recently with physical direct teams and not standing up to be counted.
“That’s going to be tested on Saturday and we have to be better at it.”
Gareth Ainsworth: “Bolton are a very good side. They are very expansive and Ian Evatt has got them playing in a very good way. We need to make sure that we are on it, and we need to be properly on it, because we don’t want to keep losing games.
“But, you know what? How many it takes, I believe we’ll be at the top end of League One at the end of the season.”
Team news
Ian Evatt has a number of selection concerns coming into this fixture, with players struggling with both injury and illness.
MJ Williams missed the midweek trip to Stockport County with a bout of illness and he is considered a doubt for Saturday’s game.
Josh Sheehan came off at Edgeley Park with a knee injury and he is unlikely to feature against Gareth Ainsworth’s side.
Amadou Bakayoko came off on Wednesday night with what is thought to have been cramp and he should be fine to feature, whilst Eoin Doyle could come back into contention at Adams Park also, after missing the last two games with injury.
Tickets and Travel
Bolton Wanderers supporters will be able to purchase tickets at Adams Park tomorrow afternoon, ahead of our Sky Bet League One clash with Wycombe Wanderers.
Tickets will be sold from the Ticket Office next to the away turnstiles from 1.30pm. Ticket prices do not increase on the day.
Ticket Prices
Adults - £25.00
Over 65s - £22.00
Under 26s - £20.00
Under 22s - £18.00
Under 19s - £14.00
Under 12s - £5.00
Last time out
Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers | Saturday 15 February 2020
Wanderers were up against a Wycombe side with quite different ambitions to their own at this stage of the season. Keith Hill’s side’s sole ambition was to come as close to survival in League One as possible, whilst Gareth Ainsworth’s side had become promotion contenders despite being fancied for the drop by bookmakers back in August.
It was Bolton who started the brighter of the two teams with Daryl Murphy forcing a smart low save from Ryan Allsop. Wycombe grew into the game and went close through Fred Onyedinma who had a header saved by Remi Matthews before Toto Nsiala’s own goal gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Matthews' foul on Onyedinma presented Wycombe with a chance to wrap things up from the penalty spot and Joe Jacobson took the opportunity to send his team back to Buckinghamshire with all three points.
Line-Up: Matthews, Emmanuel (Dodoo 46), Hobbs, Nsiala, Fleming (Bunney 68), Lowe, L. Murphy, Hamilton, Politic, O’Grady (Mellis 68), D. Murphy
Unused subs: Alexander, Delaney, Brockbank, Graham.
Match Officials
Referee: James Oldham
Assistant Referees: Darren Blunden and Stephen Brown
Fourth Official: Lisa Rashid