Preview: Bristol Rovers vs. Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Bolton Wanderers make the trip to Bristol Rovers on Sunday afternoon looking to put themselves in the best frame of mind possible ahead of the League One playoffs.

At a time when the visitors will want to retain hold of fifth spot in the standings, Bristol Rovers will want to end a dismal run to try to finish as high as 14th position.

Match preview

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On the back of winning the Papa John's Trophy, Ian Evatt needed his Bolton side to quickly switch their attention to making sure of a playoff spot.

While consistency has become an issue, the Trotters have gotten over the line courtesy of 14 points being collected from their following seven games.

Losing 1-0 at home to Accrington Stanley on April 25 threatened to derail Bolton, but they responded with a necessary 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town in their next outing.

Keeping another clean sheet at their home ground means that Bolton end the regular season having conceded just 13 times on their own patch, and the next goal will be to extend their current away streak.

Bolton have put together a five-game unbeaten run on their travels, although this upcoming fixture represents their first away game since April 18.

From the perspective of Joey Barton, Bristol Rovers are ending the season in a manner which they do not necessarily deserve with six matches passing by without success.

However, four of those games were against top-seven clubs and Bristol Rovers have not conceded more than twice in any of their contests during that winless streak.

Another game versus a promotion candidate follows on Sunday, yet Barton will be delighted to return to the Memorial Stadium after four successive away fixtures.

Just six victories have been posted from 22 outings on familiar territory this campaign, but a seventh could catapult the club up two places and into 14th to end a strong first season back in the third tier on a high note.

Team News

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Having been rested in midweek, Aaron Collins could be brought back into the Bristol Rovers attack.

Luca Hoole may also be recalled at right-back, with Antony Evans potentially returning to the side ahead of Lamare Bogarde who will return to parent club Aston Villa after this game.

Evatt must weigh up how many Bolton players to rest ahead of their upcoming playoff semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday or Barnsley.

Conor Bradley, the outfield player with the most minutes, and Dion Charles, the club's top goalscorer, are prime candidates to drop to the substitutes' bench.

Kyle Dempsey may also be handed a break, with Aaron Morley and Victor Adeboyejo among those who could be recalled.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Balcombe; Hoole, Quansah, Gibson, Gordon; Evans, Ward, Finley; Marquis, Coburn, Collins

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Jones, Toal, Johnston; R. Williams, Dempsey, M. Williams, John; Lee; Kachunga, Adeboyejo

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

While Bolton endured a blip versus Accrington, they have ended the season strongly, which is in sharp contrast to their hosts. With that in mind, we expect the visitors to battle their way to victory in the South West.

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