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

Bolton Wanderers will continue their promotion bid when they travel to the Memorial Stadium for Saturday's meeting with Bristol Rovers.

The Trotters are sitting in third place in the League One table, while the Gas will begin the weekend in 14th position.

Match preview

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Having collected 51 points from 40 matches, Bristol Rovers are just two points away from equalling last season's points tally with six games left to play.

Although the Gas are well set to make a slight improvement on last year's 17th-placed finish, they are currently experiencing a poor run of form, having failed to win any of their last five matches.

Matt Taylor's side played out a goalless draw in their recent home meeting with Shrewsbury, ensuring that they have now gone five matches without troubling the scorers.

As a result of Monday's stalemate, the Gas have now seen their last five home matches produce one win, one draw and three defeats.

Despite being the obvious underdogs for their upcoming meeting with Bolton, Bristol Rovers will be able to take confidence from December's reverse fixture when goals from John Marquis and Anthony Evans guided them to a 2-1 away victory.

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Bolton have struggled to find consistency in recent times, with their last nine league games resulting in three wins, three draws and three defeats.

However, they managed to enjoy a successful outing in Monday's home game against Reading, cruising to a 5-2 victory thanks to an Aaron Collins hat-trick and a Jon Dadi Bodvarsson brace.

That commanding victory leaves the Trotters four points adrift of second-placed Derby County, who have played one game more than Ian Evatt's side.

With the Rams not in action this weekend, Bolton will have the chance to reduce the gap to one point if they can end their six-game winless away run.

The Trotters have fared well on their recent trips to the Memorial Stadium, having won each of their previous three away meetings with Bristol Rovers, including a 3-2 win in last season's away clash.

Team News

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Bristol Rovers defender Jack Hunt is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, but it is currently unclear whether he will be ready for Saturday's game.

Like Hunt, Elkan Baggott and Tristan Crama are in a race to prove their fitness ahead of the weekend after missing the last two games due to calf and ankle problems.

The Gas are still unable to call upon Jordan Rossiter, who is trying to recover from a long-term injury before the end of the season.

As for Bolton, their top scorer Dion Charles could return to the fold after missing the last 11 matches due to a knee problem.

Goalkeeper Nathan Baxter is also hoping to make a comeback, but Saturday's game may come too soon for Dan Nlundulu and Victor Adeboyejo.

While a couple of players may return to the squad, Evatt could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup following Monday's commanding performance against Reading.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup: Ward; Hoole, Taylor, Wilson, Gordon; Conteh, Finley; Vale, Evans, Sinclair; Martin

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Coleman; Toal, Santos, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Maghoma, Ogbeta; Collins, Bodvarsson

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton may have struggled in their recent away matches, but they tend to fare well at the Memorial Stadium, and we think that the promotion-hopefuls will do enough to edge their hosts and claim three precious points.

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