Match Day Thread Bolton v Pompey

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Pompey will be looking to ensure it is a day to remember when they make the long trip north to Bolton on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

There are a host of permutations involving results elsewhere that could see them celebrating promotion come 5pm in the event of a draw.

Alternatively, the Blues can make life simple for themselves by winning the game, which would secure the League One title.

But their opponents will be out to stop the party, as they look to boost their own chances of reaching the Championship.

Wanderers are currently sitting in third position and just two points behind Derby, while also holding a game in hand.

Ian Evatt’s men come into the contest on the back of successive victories over Reading and Bristol Rovers.

They will be particularly keen to avoid the lottery of the play-offs, having been beaten over two legs by Barnsley last season.

Goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi secured a deserved 2-0 victory for Pompey at Fratton Park in a televised contest back in December.

But when the sides met twice on Bolton’s patch in the space of four days last season – just before the arrival of John Mousinho – the hosts came out on top on both occasions.


TEAM NEWS
Tom Lowery is available again following a hamstring problem, although Saturday’s game will come too soon for Callum Lang.

Terry Devlin (shoulder), Josh Dockerill (knee), Tom McIntyre (ankle), Joe Morrell (knee), Regan Poole (knee), Anthony Scully (ankle) and Alex Robertson (hamstring) are all out for the remainder of the season.

Ricardo Santos and Josh Sheehan should both be ready to feature for the visitors after recovering from injury scares, while a fit-again Dion Charles could be on the bench.


VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Read the thoughts of John Mousinho and Connor Ogilvie ahead of the game.



HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 38 wins
Bolton: 44 wins
23 draws

On the road
Pompey: 10 wins
Bolton: 34 wins
8 draws


OFFICIALS
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Assistants: Matthew Smith and Mark Russell
Fourth Official: Scott Simpson


TICKETS
Pompey have sold their full allocation for this game, so please do not travel if you do not already have a ticket.


MATCH COVERAGE
Domestic iFollow subscribers can listen to live commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham by signing into their account and visiting the match centre from around 2pm on Saturday.

Overseas subscribers and match pass holders can watch all the action live, with replays and accompanying commentary.

Click here for more information about using iFollow on a matchday and click here for information on downloading the app, so you can access content on your mobile device.

We will have key updates throughout the game on Twitter and a detailed blog via the match centre.

There will be post-match reaction on the website and our official YouTube channel, with highlights to follow on Sunday.

Local listeners can hear commentary by tuning in to either BBC Radio Solent or Express FM (not available online).

 

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BOLTON WANDERERS STARTING LINE UP:-

1 Nathan Baxter GK
5 Ricardo Santos (C) DF
2 Gethin Jones DF
18 Eoin Toal DF
12 Josh Dacres-Cogley MF
17 Nathanael Ogbeta MF
4 George Thomason MF
8 Josh Sheehan MF
19 Paris Maghoma MF
9 Jón Dadi Bödvarsson FW
28 Aaron Collins FW

Substitutes:-

13 Joel Coleman
3 Jack Iredale
22 Kyle Dempsey
16 Aaron Morley
27 Randell Williams
10 Dion Charles
35 Cameron Jerome

 

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Bolton Wanderers Stadium

 

Team kits for today.....

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Match kicks off........

 

Abu Kamara bursts past Ogbeta down the right and cuts the ball back for an unmarked Callum Lang, but his effort is blocked by Santos. 6 minutes.

 

GOAL FOR POMPEY !!!!!!

 

0-1 to Pompey ! Abu Kamara with his 10th goal of the season.

Abu Kamara steals the ball from Ogbeta and bursts forward, cutting onto his left foot before sliding the ball inside Baxter's near post. 7 minutes.

 

Marlon Pack sends in a free-kick and Baxter just about gets a fist to it. 11 minutes.

 

Yellow card for Callum Lang for a foul on Dacres-Cogley. 15 minutes.

 

Jones' low cross ricochets against the post and the follow-up from Toal is blocked by Sean Raggett.

There are further blocks from Abu Kamara and Sean Raggett, as Pompey survive a nervy passage of play. 19 minutes.

 

Paddy Lane and Callum Lang work the ball across to Abu Kamara, who beats Ogbeta before seeing his shot blocked by Toal. 29 minutes.

 

Eoin Toal booked for a foul on Abu Kamara. 32 minutes.

 

1-1 now with a goal from Aaron Collins. 36 minutes.

 

Marlon Pack and Abu Kamara combine to release Callum Lang, but it's a good challenge from Santos to halt the Pompey forward. 43 minutes.

 

Now Abu Kamara finds Paddy Lane, who's tackled just as he shapes to shoot from the edge of the box. 45 minutes.