MX23RW : Monday, May 6 02:40:04| >> :120:15021:15021:
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Ipswich logo
Championship
Nov 3, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Bolton logo

2-0

Maitland-Niles (13'), Pitman (70')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Ipswich Town vs. Bolton Wanderers

Sports Mole previews the Championship action as Ipswich Town welcome the visit of travelling Bolton Wanderers to Portman Road.

Ipswich Town welcome the visit of Bolton Wanderers in the Championship on Tuesday night, as the Tractor Boys aim to pick up their first win in the league since the middle of September.

As for Bolton, they find themselves down in the relegation zone after claiming just one victory all season.


Ipswich Town

Pablo Counago of Ipswich celebrates scoring their second goal during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Norwich City and Ipswich Town at Carrow Road on 4 November, 2007© Getty Images

Mick McCarthy's side enjoyed a solid start to the season after going unbeaten in their first four games with the help of a three-game winning streak.

Things have not developed as their coach would have liked over the past few months, however, as Town have picked up just one victory since the middle of August.

Ipswich were able to edge past Leeds United away from home in September, but since that win McCarthy and company have not won in seven Championship fixtures, having drawn five and lost two.

It was not too long ago that Town fans were hopeful of a promotion push following McCarthy's introduction as coach in 2012, but things have proved a lot harder than first thought as the club aim to build some sort of route back towards the Premier League.

The major issue for the club in the past few months has been scoring goals, as Town have notched just once since drawing 2-2 with Bristol City at the end of September.

McCarthy will be hopeful that one victory could just inspire a few more in the coming weeks, and the manager might believe that three points against Bolton could soon turn into six when they face struggling Rotherham United at the weekend.

Recent form: DLDLDD


Bolton Wanderers

Dorian Dervite of Bolton Wanderers is sent off by referee Paul Tierney during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at Ewood park on August 28, 2015© Getty Images

Much like Town, Wanderers have really struggled to pick up victories in the autumn months and they are now languishing in the bottom three after 14 games played.

What has been slightly more concerning for manager Neil Lennon, however, is that his club have been unable to hold on to points and have fallen foul to far too many defeats.

As it stands, Bolton are now without a victory since a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in September, with the team losing four and drawing four in the eight games.

Wanderers have found things difficult at both ends of the pitch and Lennon will be irritated by the fact that his side have now conceded double the number of goals than they have scored in the Championship so far in the campaign.

Bolton's next two fixtures could prove vitally important as they aim to pull away from the foot of the table. Victories against both Town and then Bristol City would put Wanderers on 16 points and could well push them a few places above safety depending on other results.

Recent form: DLLLDD


Team News

Teddy Bishop in action for Ipswich Town on January 10, 2015© Getty Images

Town are likely to still be without key midfielder Ryan Fraser, although Teddy Bishop could make a late push to come back into the squad.

McCarthy may also decide to bring back Jonathan Douglas at the expense of Kevin Bru.

Bolton defender Derik Osede will be doing his best to prove his fitness despite remaining a doubt. Should he not feature, Prince-Desir Gouano could come into the team.

Zach Clough is thought to still be carrying a slight injury and he remains doubtful too, while Wellington is out until January at the earliest.

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Parr, Berra, Smith, Chambers; Sears, Douglas, Skuse, Maitland-Niles; Murphy, McGoldrick

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Amos; Casado, Dervite, Wheater, Prince; Danns, Spearing; Feeney, Clayton, Pratley; Ameobi


Head To Head

Bolton have struggled against Town in the Championship over the past three seasons, where they have been unable to pick up a single win against the Tractor Boys. The teams last met in March, where Ipswich were able to snatch a 1-0 victory at Portman Road. Over their last six meetings, Ipswich have won four and drawn two against Wanderers.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Ipswich Town 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Both sides are missing some pivotal players in the shape of Fraser and Wellington and are struggling for victories in recent weeks. Town have proved slightly better in the form charts and they will be hopeful of gaining three points with a home advantage. Given the teams' scoring records, this should be a tight contest and is likely to be decided by a solitary goal.



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Zach Clough (C) of Bolton scores the opening goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic at the Macron Stadium on January 3, 2015
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