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

Bolton Wanderers are set to host Barnsley at Toughsheet Community Stadium on Boxing Day in what could be a crucial match in the race for promotion from League One.

Neither side are in the best form at the moment, but the visitors have lost four of their last five games and the hosts may see this as the perfect opportunity to take points from their rivals.

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Match preview

Ian Evatt's Bolton are currently eighth after their 19 matches so far in League One, and are level with sixth-placed Lincoln City - who are in the playoff spots - on 31 points.

Last time out, the Trotters kept their first clean sheet since October when they drew 0-0 with Wycombe Wanderers and became the first side to stop them from finding the back of the net in 25 league matches.

However, perhaps the biggest story around the game was about the future of midfielder Aaron Morley, who has been featuring for the Chairboys on loan from Evatt's side.

The Trotters boss confirmed this week that Morley will be recalled from his loan and returning to Bolton in the winter unless Wycombe make a 'really significant offer' that meets the club's valuation for a permanent transfer.

Ahead of Thursday's clash with Barnsley, Bolton are in mixed form, having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five matches, and given fans' high expectations, the manager has been under pressure with the team 13 points behind the automatic promotion places in their fourth consecutive League One season.

However, Evatt received the public backing of club chairwoman Sharon Brittan earlier this month, and considering the Trotters are well within striking distance of the playoffs, a win on Boxing Day could help to ease fans' concerns.

Meanwhile, Darrell Clarke's Barnsley are ninth in the table with 30 points from their 21 games and are just one place and one point behind their hosts, though they have played two matches more.

Most recently, the Tykes were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing at home by Leyton Orient, who thoroughly dominated the game and scored two in both halves.

That result came as part of a poor run of form that has seen Barnsley lose four of their last five matches, and stretching back to early November, Clarke's side have won just one of their last eight in all competitions.

However, it is notable that Barnsley's form has a clear home and away divide, and while only the bottom two Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion have fared worse on their own turf this season, Wycombe are the only League One side that have picked up more points on the road than the Tykes.

As part of the follow-up to their disastrous showing on Saturday, the manager brought the players in for a meeting to clear the air with the aim of getting their season back on track.

This Thursday, Barnsley have a chance to set things right with a trip to Bolton, and Clarke will be desperate to get a positive result to stay within touching distance of the playoff spots going into the New Year period.

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Team News

Bolton boss Evatt has said that centre-back Eoin Toal could return to the squad for this match after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for the last nine games.

Meanwhile, defenders Ricardo Santos and George Johnston are available after serving their suspensions last time out, though Jay Matete will miss out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wycombe.

Elsewhere, Jordi Osei-Tutu has overcome a minor knee issue and will be back in contention for Thursday's game.

As for Barnsley, manager Clarke has revealed that he is 'very hopeful' that midfielders Luca Connell, who missed the game with Orient due to illness, and Adam Phillips, who underwent emergency dental work last week, will be ready for the trip to Bolton.

It has also been reported that the Tykes are on the lookout for reinforcements up front and at left wing-back this January, though for now they are likely to line up with Stephen Humphrys and Davis Keillor-Dunn as strikers, while Georgie Gent should start on the left.

Additionally, Conor Hourihane, who originally joined the club as a player-coach in the summer, has announced his retirement and has been named Barnsley's assistant head-coach on a permanent basis.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Baxter; Johnston, Santos, Jones; Osei-Tutu, McAtee, Lolos, Thomason, Schon; Collins, Adeboyejo

Barnsley possible starting lineup: Killip; Gevigney, Pines, McCarthy; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Nwakali, Connell, Gent; Humphrys, Keillor-Dunn

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We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Barnsley

Given that Barnsley have been so strong away from home this season, Clarke's side are likely to score at least once on Thursday.

Additionally, while Bolton will put up a fight, their defensive weakness this term may cause them to surrender all three points to their playoff rivals.

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

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