Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Bolton Wanderers will attempt to claim a second straight win when they play host to relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Trotters head into the weekend in third position in the League One table, while the visitors are currently languishing in 20th position.

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Match preview

After playing out back-to-back draws, promotion-chasing Bolton got back to winning ways in Tuesday's home meeting with Wycombe Wanderers.

Gethin Jones and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson grabbed a goal apiece to guide the Trotters to a 2-1 victory, which extended their unbeaten run to five league matches.

Despite claiming maximum points in midweek, Ian Evatt's side remain outside the automatic promotion places with a point separating them from second-placed Derby, who have played two games more.

Bolton currently boasts the best home record in the third tier, having won 11, drawn two and lost three of their 16 home league matches this season.

The Trotters can also take confidence from the fact that they have won each of their last five competitive meetings with Charlton, including a 2-0 win when the two sides faced off at The Valley in October.

After being appointed Charlton boss earlier this month, Nathan Jones has been unable to end the club's winless run in his first two matches in charge.

Jones began his tenure with a 2-0 defeat away to Reading, before he saw his side salvage a point in Tuesday's home clash with Lincoln City.

The Addicks trailed at the break following Reece Hackett's opener, but they fought back in the second half, with substitute Freddie Ladapo netting a 72nd-minute equaliser to ensure that the contest finished in a 1-1 draw.

Having failed to win any of their last 14 league games, Charlton are sitting just one point clear of the bottom four ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures.

After failing to keep a clean sheet in their previous 20 league matches, the Addicks will be fully aware that they need to improve defensively if they are to retain their third-tier status.

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Team News

The hosts are likely to be without the services of Nathan Baxter, Will Forrester and Randell Williams due to injury issues.

Midfielder George Thomason will serve the second game of a three-match suspension after being sent off in the recent draw with Northampton.

Dion Charles was forced off in the second half against Wycombe with a knee problem, and Bolton's top-scorer will have to be assessed ahead of Saturday's contest.

As for the Addicks, they are unable to call upon the injured Miles Leaburn, while it remains to be seen whether Michael Hector will be passed fit following a spell on the sidelines.

Ladapo could be presented with a starting opportunity after coming off the bench to score the equaliser against Lincoln in midweek.

Chuks Aneke made his long-awaited return from injury as a substitute on Tuesday, and he is likely to start on the bench again as he looks to build up his fitness following an extended period in the treatment room.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Coleman; Jones, Toal, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Dempsey, Morley, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Bodvarsson, Adeboyejo

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup: Isted; Edmonds-Green, Thomas, Jones; Ramsay, Bakinson, Anderson, Dobson, Watson; Ladapo, May

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We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Bolton have won four of their last five home league games, and we think that they will claim another home victory on Saturday, especially as they have won each of their previous five head-to-head meetings with Charlton.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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