Promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers will attempt to claim a fourth consecutive victory when they play host to Burton Albion on New Year's Day.

Like their hosts, the Brewers will head into Monday's contest in a confident mood after picking up maximum points from their last two outings.

Match preview

Bolton will carry significant momentum into the new year after bouncing back from consecutive defeats to finish 2023 with three straight victories.

Ian Evatt's side recorded a 3-2 home win over Leyton Orient, before they clinched a narrow 1-0 away victory against Lincoln City on Boxing Day.

The Trotters experienced more success on their travels in Friday's trip to the Highbury Stadium, where goals from Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo proved enough to secure a 2-0 win over Fleetwood Town.

As a result of their fine form, Bolton will start the new year in second position and just two points adrift of leaders Portsmouth, who have played a game more.

Having won seven of their last eight competitive home games, Bolton will certainly fancy their chances of adding three more points to their tally in Monday's clash with Burton.

Meanwhile, Burton caretaker manager Gary Mills has overseen an upturn in fortunes after beginning his tenure with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Oxford United.

The interim boss saw his side net a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a point off Charlton Athletic, before they edged out Blackpool via a 1-0 scoreline to end an eight-game winless league run

Burton followed that positive result with another 1-0 victory in Friday's home meeting with Shrewsbury Town, which came courtesy of Bez Lubala's 16th-minute effort.

Thanks to their encouraging spell of form, Burton have now climbed up to 16th place, putting a sizeable seven-point gap between themselves and the drop zone.

After claiming back-to-back victories at the Pirelli Stadium, the Brewers will be desperate to replicate that success on their travels, having failed to win any of their five away league games since beating Lincoln City on October 14.

Team News

Bolton's Carlos Mendes Gomes has already joined up with the Guinea Bissau squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Australian defender Gethin Jones will now head off to prepare for the Asian Cup after playing the duration of the 2-0 win over Fleetwood.

There is also a doubt surrounding the fitness of Jack Iredale, who dropped out of Friday's squad with a minor injury issue.

As for the visitors, midfielder Mark Helm remains sidelined with an injury issue that has kept him out of action since the beginning of November.

Defender Ryan Sweeney is a doubt for Monday's fixture after he was forced off against Shrewsbury due to a dead leg.

Joe Powell battled through Friday's game with a foot problem, and he will have to be assessed ahead of the trip to Bolton.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Forrester, Santos, Toal; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Morley, Maghoma, Williams; Charles, Bodvarsson

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Brayford, Hughes, Caprice; Moon, Powell, Oshilaja, Seddon; Baah, Kamwa; Lubala

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Burton Albion

Although Burton will enter Monday's contest off the back of consecutive home victories, they have tended to struggle on the road, having lost four of their last five matches.

We think that the Brewers could experience more away-day disappointment against a Bolton side that has won seven of their previous eight competitive home games.


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