Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth will face off on Tuesday with both sides currently level on 59 points in the League One table.

The hosts have lost just once in their last five matches, while Pompey have suffered only one defeat in their previous 10 outings.

Match preview

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Bolton have experienced mixed results in recent weeks, and a failure to find consistency has all but ended their playoff hopes.

After losing to Plymouth Argyle, the Trotters returned to winning ways when they edged out Crewe Alexandra, and they picked up another point at the weekend courtesy of a 1-1 draw against local rivals Wigan Athletic.

A seventh-minute strike from James McClean looked to have given the Latics all three points, but the Trotters salvaged a draw thanks to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's goal that arrived seven minutes from time.

That result leaves Ian Evatt's side in 11th position and with 11 points separating them from the playoff places with just six games to play, hopes of reaching the playoffs have seemingly disappeared.

Although, after winning promotion to League One last season, Tuesday's hosts can be content with their campaign, as they now look to end the season on a high.

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Portsmouth also sit 11 points adrift of the playoff places, but with two games in hand, they still have a chance of making the top six.

If they are to close the 11 point gap then they need to string a number of wins together, and that has proved to be tricky in recent games.

Danny Cowley's side are winless in their last three matches, but with over two weeks since their last outing, they will be hoping that the rest can set them up for a strong finish to the season.

The Pompey boss will, however, be concerned that his side failed to score in their last three matches, although Portsmouth have fared better in the defensive third this term.

Only Rotherham have kept more clean sheets in League One this season than Pompey and after experiencing three shutouts in their last five matches, they will be confident of nullifying Bolton's attacks on Tuesday.

Team News

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Lloyd Isgrove is expected to miss the rest of Bolton's season, while Josh Sheehan and Andrew Tutte are also sidelined for the hosts.

In more positive news, Kieran Lee is nearing a return to full fitness, although Tuesday's contest may come too soon for the 33-year-old.

Gethin Jones returned from injury to play the full game against Wigan, and he is expected to feature once again in midweek.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, are expected to opt for the back three that started in their most recent outing, with Hayden Carter, Sean Raggett 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 centre of midfield.

Cowley welcomed Michael Jacobs back from injury in their last fixture and after making a substitute appearance against Wycombe, the 30-year-old may be given a starting place for the midweek encounter.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Aimson, Santos, Johnston; Jones, Williams, Morley, Sadlier; Bodvarsson, Afolayan, Charles

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Carter, Raggett, Robertson; Harness, Thompson, Morrell, Ogilvie; Jacobs, Walker, Hirst

We say: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Portsmouth

Cowley's side have had plenty of time to prepare for Tuesday's contest, and with the playoffs still a realistic possibility for the visitors, we think they will have that extra incentive to clinch all three points against Bolton.

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