Portsmouth make a trip to the University of Bolton Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday, with both sides currently level on 59 points in the League One table.
The hosts have lost only once in their last five matches, while the visitors have suffered just one defeat in their previous 10 matches.
Bolton have experienced mixed results in recent weeks, and a failure to find consistency has put an end to their playoff hopes.
After losing to Plymouth Argyle, they returned to winning ways when they defeated Crewe Alexandra, and they picked up another point at the weekend through a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athetic.
A seventh-minute goal from James McClean looked to have given Wigan all three points, but Ian Evatt’s side salvaged a draw courtesy of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s goal seven minutes from time.
That result leaves the Trotters in 11th place and with 11 points separating them from playoff places with just six games to play.
Although, after earning promotion to League One last season, Bolton can be content with their campaign, as they now look to end the season on a high.
Portsmouth also sit 11 points off the playoff places, but with two games in hand, they still have a chance of making the top six.
They are winless in their last three matches, but with over two weeks since their last game, they will be hoping for strong finish to the season.
However, Danny Cowley will be concerned that his side failed to score in their last three matches, although the Pompey have fared better in the defensive third this season.
Only Rotherham have kept more clean sheets in League One this season than Portsmouth and after experiencing three shutouts in their last five matches, they will be confident of nullifying Bolton’s attacks on Tuesday.
Bolton Wanderers vs Portsmouth head to head
The two teams have previously met on 76 occasions across all competitions, where Bolton have taken 32 victories while Porstmouth have won 26, and they have drawn in 18. Portsmouth have scored 95 goals and conceded 118. In their last five meetings, Portsmouth have won four while they have drawn once.
Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Portsmouth 24/04/10
Portsmouth 3-0 Bolton Wanderers 04/08/12
Portsmouth 1-0 Bolton Wanderers 28/09/19
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Portsmouth 18/01/20
Portsmouth 1-0 Bolton Wanderers 30/10/21
Bolton Wanderers latest home form
Bolton lost their last home game 1-0 to Plymouth Argyle on March 12 in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their previous seven matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded four.
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Charlton Athletic 08/02/22
Bolton Wanderers 4-0 AFC Wimbledon 19/02/22
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Lincoln City 22/02/22
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Morecambe 08/03/22
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Plymouth Argyle 12/03/22
Bolton Wanderers latest away form
Bolton have most recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their three most recent matches. Their last away defeat came 2-0 against Milton Kyenes Dons on February 26. In their last five away matches, they have scored six goals and conceded six.
Burton Albion 3-1 Bolton Wanderers 15/02/22
Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Bolton Wanderers 26/02/22
Gillingham 0-3 Bolton Wanderers 05/03/22
Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Bolton Wanderers 19/03/22
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bolton Wanderers 02/04/22
Portsmouth latest home form
Portsmouth have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. Their last home defeat came on January 31 when they lost 2-1 to Charlton Athletic in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded five.
Portsmouth 4-0 Doncaster Rovers 12/02/22
Portsmouth 3-3 Fleetwood Town 26/02/22
Portsmouth 3-2 Oxford United 01/03/22
Portsmouth 4-0 Accrington Stanley 05/03/22
Portsmouth 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers 19/03/22
Portsmouth latest away form
Portsmouth have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their eight most recent matches. In their last away game, they lost 1-0 to Plymouth Argyle in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.
Oxford United 3-2 Portsmouth 05/02/22
Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Portsmouth 22/02/22
Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Portsmouth 08/03/22
Ipswich Town 0-0 Portsmouth 12/03/22
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Portsmouth 15/03/22
Bolton Wanderers news
Bolton’s Lloyd Isgrove is expected to miss the rest of the season, while Josh Sheehan and Andrew Tutte are also sidelined for the hosts.
Kieran Lee is nearing a return to fullness, although Tuesday’s contest may come too soon, while Gethin Jones is expected to feature once again in midweek.
Portsmouth news
Portsmouth are expected to opt for the back three that started in their most recent matches, with Sean Raggett, Hayden Carter and Clark Robertson set to feature in the backline.
Joe Morrell could come back into the starting lineup, with the Welshman likely to partner Louis Thompson in the midfield.
Prediction and Odds
Portsmouth have had plenty of time to prepare for this contest, and with the playoffs still within a possible reach, they will have extra motive to take the victory.
Although Bolton will be looking to record a positive result having been beaten in their last home game, that could not come here.
Odds: 1 2.26 X 2.05 2 2.15
Probable outcomes
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Portsmouth
