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

Peterborough United and Bolton Wanderers will clash at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday afternoon, both aiming to end disappointing winless runs in League One.

The hosts are 17th in the league table with 50 points from 43 outings, while the visitors are eighth in the standings and trail the playoff spots by six points.

Match preview

Peterborough United finished in the playoff places in each of the last two seasons since suffering relegation from the Championship in 2021-22, but the Posh have disappointingly crashed out of the playoffs in the semi-finals on each occasion.

Darren Ferguson, who returned for his fourth spell in charge of Peterborough in January 2023, would have been aiming to finally secure their promotion back to the second division this term, but his side have miserably failed to achieve that objective.

Peterborough have instead found themselves battling against relegation at times this term, with a dismal run of only two victories in 16 league games between November and February saw the Posh place as low as 20th.

While the Posh have been able to distance themselves from the drop zone, now sitting seven points clear, they have endured another underwhelming run in recent games, failing to win any of their last four league fixtures.

However, Peterborough did record a sensational 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in the EFL Trophy final during that run, salvaging a campaign that has been rather lacklustre as a whole.

Now aiming to end the campaign on a high and build a positive foundation to return to the promotion battle next term, Peterborough will hope to take all three points against playoff contenders Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton are eighth in the League One table with 66 points from 44 games, after 20 wins, six draws and 18 defeats, leaving them six points adrift of the playoff places.

As only two games remain of the league season, Bolton need something of a miracle to secure a playoff place, requiring maximum points and Leyton Orient and Reading to lose both remaining matches, while also needing a 23-goal swing in their favour.

The Trotters will be disappointed to find themselves in that position heading into the final matches, as Bolton appeared in a strong position to secure a playoff spot before taking only six points from their last nine league games.

Steven Schumacher, who took charge in January 2025, will understand that a playoff place is unlikely, meaning the manager will simply be aiming for a strong end to the campaign to build a foundation for next season.

Schumacher will also be desperate to bring an end to their recent run of four consecutive defeats, and Bolton should be confident heading into this clash given they are undefeated in their last five meetings with the Posh.

Peterborough United League One form:

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Team News

Peterborough's attacking lineup of Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones and Malik Mothersille has impressed this season, scoring 34 league goals between them, and the trio should start again here.

In defence, Carl Johnston may miss out after coming off injured in the last match, meaning James Dornelly may start alongside Oscar Wallin, Sam Hughes and Harley Mills.

As for Bolton, Josh Dacres-Cogley will be absent after receiving two yellow cards in two minutes in the recent defeat to Lincoln City, and Gethin Jones is expected to be his replacement.

With Jones moving forward, William Forrester could partner Chris Forino and George Johnston in central defence, with Alex Murphy retaining his place on the left side.

John McAtee should also come back into the starting team, expected to partner top scorer Aaron Collins in attack, with Sonny Sharples playing just behind in attacking midfield.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup: Steer; Dornelly, Wallin, Hughes, Mills; Kyprianou, Havilland; Poku, Mothersille, Odoh; Jones

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Baxter; Forrester, Forino, Johnston; Jones, Matete, Thomason, Murphy; Sharples; Collins, McAtee

We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Peterborough may have struggled in this fixture in recent times, but given Bolton's poor run of four consecutive defeats, while the Posh have avoided defeat in their last three, we expect the hosts to win here.

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