Wanderers will be going for a seventh successive home win when they face Morecambe tonight.
The Whites have put themselves into play-off contention on the back of an inspired run since mid-January.
However, there is still a seven-point gap to the top six and Ian Evatt’s men – who are 11th in the table – will be hoping to avoid a slip-up against the Shrimps to keep building the pressure on the teams above.
Morecambe’s attention is focused on a relegation fight as they look to stay in League One for a second season after going up with Morecambe last season.
Derek Adams returned as manager at the end of last month and has taken a point from his first two games back at the helm.
Quotes from the managers:
Ian Evatt: “We’ve got 10 games left and six of those are at home.
“We want to try and win all of our home games and if we can and we can nick things away from home it gives us a chance.
“We want to create the best possible atmosphere we can here.
“If the supporters can do that and help us with the atmosphere, that it can help make it more difficult for the opposition.”
Morecambe manager Derek Adams: “What I have seen of them, they are a very, very good team.
“They pass the ball well, their rotation is excellent and the way that they push the wing-backs, I think one of them ended up as a centre-forward in the last game.
“That just shows the freedom they have got to go and play. They have done that very well and they are obviously high in confidence.
“They have got a really good squad and they are trying hard to push into those promotion places. They have been on an excellent run and we understand how difficult this game will be.”
Team news:
Wanderers will check on midfielder Kyle Dempsey after he missed out on a return to former club Gillingham last weekend.
Vice-captain Gethin Jones remains unavailable but Alex Baptiste could return to the squad.
Morecambe were without Greg Leigh, Aaron Wildig and Toumani Diagouraga through illness for last Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Plymouth and will be hoping they are fit to return.
Tickets:
Tickets are still available to members from Bolton Central and the match is available to stream live via iFollow with details HERE
Form guide:
Wanderers are seeking a seventh successive home win and a 10th win in 13 matches following their 3-0 victory at Gillingham last Saturday.
Morecambe are without a win in eight games and haven’t win away in League One since November.
However, the Shrimps – 21st in the table – have lost just four of their last nine games as they fight for survival.
Last meeting:
Morecambe 1-1 Bolton Wanderers | Saturday 5 February, 2022
Wanderers grabbed a point in dramatic circumstances at the Mazuma Stadium just over a month ago.
Whites’ skipper Ricardo Almeida Santos was sent off for handball to earn a red card which was subsequently over-turned on appeal.
James Trafford saved Cole Stockton’s penalty but was then beaten by the striker shortly afterwards.
The game was then stopped following a crowd incident before the 10-man Whites earned a precious equaliser when substitute Amadou Bakayoko fired home in the 104th minute to extend his side’s unbeaten run to five games.
Match officials:
Referee: Christopher Sarginson
Assistant referees: Alan Clayton and Paul Newhouse
Fourth official: Aaron Jackson