Preview: Blackpool vs Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Blackpool will try to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they welcome Bolton Wanderers to Bloomfield Road for Saturday’s League One contest.

Meanwhile, Steven Schumacher's side will be looking to bring an end to their four-game winless run in all competitions.

Match preview

Blackpool have experienced a disappointing start to the season, having lost five of their opening six competitive matches.

The Tangerines started the campaign with three consecutive defeats, including a narrow loss in their EFL Cup first-round clash against Port Vale.

They ended their losing run with a 3-2 home win over Huddersfield Town, but they have failed to build upon that result in their last two away outings.

After losing 2-0 to Mansfield, Blackpool went another game without a goal in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle, leaving them in 20th place after the first five league matches.

Having lost all three away league games, Steve Bruce’s side will be looking forward to returning to the familiar surroundings of Bloomfield Road, especially as they picked up a 2-1 victory in March’s home clash with Bolton Wanderers.

In fact, the Tangerines have won each of their previous three home league games against the Trotters, scoring eight goals across those successful outings.

Bolton have not lost in regulation time since losing 2-0 away to Stockport County on the opening day of the League One season.

However, they will be underwhelmed with the fact that have failed to win any of their last four matches since beating Plymouth Argyle on matchday two.

The Trotters lost on penalties in their EFL Cup first-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday, before they played out three consecutive 1-1 draws against Barnsley, Reading and Lincoln City.

They looked set to fall to a narrow defeat in last Saturday’s clash with the Imps, before they rescued a point courtesy of Tom Hamer’s 97th-minute own goal.

Bolton will now head on their travels with aspirations of ending their five-game winless league run by claiming their first away victory since beating Wigan Athletic in April.

However, that could prove tricky for a club that have not won away to Blackpool since picking up a 2-0 win in December 1977.

Blackpool League One form:

L L W L L

Blackpool form (all competitions):

L L L W L L

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L W D D D

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

L W L D D D

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the defensive duo of Fraser Horsfall and James Husband due to ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Ashley Fletcher is a doubt after missing the last two matches, while fellow forward Niall Ennis will serve the final game of a three-match ban.

Crystal Palace loanee Danny Imray is pushing to make his first start after coming off the bench to make his Blackpool debut last weekend.

As for the Trotters, they are unable to call upon the services of Will Forrester, Kyle Dempsey and Victor Adeboyejo.

Josh Sheehan and Aaron Morley are hoping to earn starting spots after featuring as half-time substitutes in the draw with Lincoln.

Richard Taylor came off the bench in the latter stages to make his Bolton debut, and the full-back could be given more minutes on Saturday as he looks to build up his fitness following a spell on the sidelines.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Peacock-Farrell; Imray, Ihiekwe, Casey, Coulson; Bloxham, Brown, Morgan, Hamilton; Honeyman, Taylor

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sharman-Lowe; Dacres-Cogley, Toal, Johnston, Conway; Sheehan, Morley; Cozier-Duberry, Randall, Cissoko; Burstow

We say: Blackpool 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Blackpool's only win this season took place at Bloomfield Road, and considering that they have won each of their last three home league games against Bolton, we think that the Tangerines will do enough to take maximum points from Saturday's contest.

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