Preview: Exeter City vs. Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Exeter City and Bolton Wanderers square off on Saturday afternoon with both teams looking to kick-start a potential playoff push.

At a time when Bolton sit in 10th position in the League One table, Exeter are three points adrift of the visitors in 13th place.

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Match preview

Although recent criticism of Ian Evatt has arguably been harsh, the Bolton boss knows that the pressure is ramping up heading into January.

The 2-1 reverse at Mansfield Town - a fellow contender for the playoffs - made it one win in five games, with the solitary success coming at home to Lincoln City.

Bolton now sit five points adrift of the top six and are increasingly at risk of being cut adrift unless they find a way to consistently get points on the board.

You have to go all the way back to October 29 for their last away triumph on their travels, although they have played just four such fixtures during that period.

Evatt's side still hold the 10th-best away record in the division with 14 points coming from 10 games, indicating they have the potential to get back on track.

Gary Caldwell will be hoping for the same from his Exeter side after their struggles during the last double-header.

Exeter had to come from 4-1 adrift to earn a share of the spoils with struggling Crawley Town last weekend before they made the trip to high-flying Wycombe Wanderers.

With the former long-term leaders having faltered of late, Caldwell would have sense an opportunity, but a last-gasp penalty condemned his team to a 2-1 reverse.

In six of Exeter's last seven matches in the third tier, both teams have gotten on the scoresheet, and there seems every chance of that streak being extended here.

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Team News

On the back of Exeter's performance at Wycombe, Caldwell may be prepared to select the same starting lineup.

If an alteration is made, Kamari Doyle or Demetri Mitchell could be recalled in an attacking role with Jake Richards dropping out.

Meanwhile, Evatt will make changes to his Bolton side with Jordi Osei-Tutu among those expected to be recalled.

Randell Williams and John McAtee may also be involved, but Chris Forino remains doubtful for this contest through injury.

Exeter City possible starting lineup: Whitworth; Fitzwater, Crama, Francis; Niskanen, McMillan, Woods, Harper; Watts, Mitchell; Magennis

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Southwood; Jones, Santos, Johnston; Osei-Tutu, Matete, Thomason, Schon; McAtee; Charles, Collins

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We say: Exeter City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

This game feels finely-poised with both clubs aware that a draw would benefit neither of them. With that in mind, we are backing Bolton to come out on top, their extra quality in attack proving pivotal in the closing stages.

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

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