Wanderers reach a major milestone when they play their 5000th league fixture at Peterborough United on Saturday.
The Whites – one of the founder members of the Football League – will become just the fifth club to reach the landmark after Burnley, Preston North End, Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wanderers’ more recent history sees them sit fifth in the League One table, two place and nine points clear of Peterborough, who have played three games fewer.
Eight of the clubs currently placed in the division's top 10 play fixtures against each other on Saturday.
Manager quotes:
Ian Evatt: “There are some big games this weekend but all we’re concentrating on is ourselves and our own big game.
“We need to take care of our own business. We’ve got 16 cup finals to go and we need to make sure we perform to our best in all those games.
“I believe this game is probably as hard as it gets at the moment with Darren (Ferguson) taking over and winning all the games since he took charge.
“They’re on the charge trying to get themselves back in that play-off hunt.
“It’s a tough game but it’s a game we’re looking forward to. Our team is also in good form.
“We’ve won our last three games and probably the last nine, ten, 11 games and maybe more than that we’ve had some good performances.
“We’re excited to go and show what we can do again.”
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson:
“I watched Bolton a few times when I was on a break from management and I have seen them in action a few times since I returned to the club and they are a good side.
“I think it will be a really good game. They are in a good position in the league table. They may have a few injuries and suspensions, but they signed some good players in the window.
“For us though, it is about consistency. That is in performance and in terms of results."
Team news:
Wanderers expect to have wideman Randell Williams back in their squad after overcoming a hamstring issue which forced him to miss last weekend’s win over Cheltenham.
Conor Bradley serves the first of a two-match ban for collecting 10 yellow cards, while Elias Kachunga will miss the last of his three games for his retrospective red card against Forest Green.
Midfielder George Thomason will make a welcome return to training on Monday after his lengthy absence but won’t be back in time for the trip to London Road, where the Whites will also still be without George Johnston and Dan Nlundulu.
MJ Williams has undergone successful surgery to clear up a knee problem but stays on the sidelines for the next few weeks along with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Jack Iredale.
Peterborough midfielder Jack Taylor is expected to be fit after scans confirmed no major damage after picking up a knock in last weekend’s win at Forest Green.
Form guide:
Wanderers made it a hat-trick of league wins with last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town.
A fourth straight victory would equal their best run so far this season.
Ian Evatt’s men have lost just one of their last 10 league games to move within eight points of the automatic promotion places.
Peterborough – who lost 1-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium in September – have also won their last three league games since the return as manager of Darren Ferguson to move back towards the play-off places.
His appointment in early January followed a run of one win in seven league games.
The Posh have won nine, drawn one and lost three of their league games at London Road.
Officials:
Referee: Lee Swabey
Assistant referees: Robert Atkin, Nicholas Dunn
Fourth official: Kevin Howick
Kick-off:
Saturday 3pm
Coverage:
The game will be streamed live on BWFC iFollow for overseas subscribers with audio commentary available in the UK with match passes available HERE