On Wednesday, League Two Accrington Stanley will welcome third-tier Bolton Wanderers to the Wham Stadium for an EFL Trophy last-16 tie.

Accrington have lost just one of their last seven matches, while the Trotters are unbeaten in five games across all competitions.

Match preview

With no game at the weekend, Accrington have had plenty of time to reflect on their comfortable 3-0 victory over Salford City on New Year's Day.

Shaun Whalley opened the scoring in the 14th minute, before Jack Nolan netted a brace to effectively clinch all three points by the half-time break.

While 10th-placed Accrington are just one point adrift of the top seven, they will put their playoff bid on hold to focus on their tricky EFL Trophy clash with Bolton.

Although they lost to the Trotters in the EFL Trophy semi-finals last season, Accrington enjoyed success in their most recent head-to-head meeting, claiming a narrow 1-0 victory when the two sides met in April's League One contest.

The hosts will be looking to make home advantage count, having won their last three competitive matches at the Wham Stadium – a run that began with a 1-0 victory against Lincoln City in the previous round.

Bolton are hoping to win the trophy for the second straight season after beating Accrington on their way to thrashing Plymouth Argyle 4-0 in April's final.

The Trotters are certainly enjoying a successful 2023-24 campaign, having won 16, drawn three and lost five of their 24 league matches to leave them in second position and just two points adrift of leaders Portsmouth with two games in hand.

They have also gone toe-to-toe with Premier League opposition, holding Luton Town to a goalless draw in Sunday's FA Cup encounter at Kenilworth Road to send the third-round tie to a replay.

As a result of their strong defensive display against the Hatters, Bolton have now kept four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

They have also recorded eight shutouts in their previous 10 away matches, giving them a solid base to work from in Wednesday's meeting with Accrington.

Team News

With his players well-rested following their New Year's Day outing, Coleman could decide to name an unchanged starting lineup for Wednesday's EFL Trophy fixture.

Having scored four times in Accrington's last five matches, Nolan will be keen to continue his fine goalscoring form when he lines up against Bolton.

Sean McConville will provide the hosts with a useful option off the bench after returning from a lengthy layoff to make a substitute appearance in the 3-0 win over Salford.

As for the visitors, George Johnston and Dan Nlundulu are sidelined through injury, while Gethin Jones and Carlos Mendes Gomes are currently on international duty.

Having seen an FA Cup replay added to a busy calendar, Evatt could be tempted to make a number of changes, with Jack Iredale, George Thomason, Aaron Morley and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson among the players that could freshen up the Bolton side.

Former Accrington striker Dion Charles is expected to retain his place in the side, having scored 16 goals in 29 competitive appearances this season.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Walsh; O'Brien, Gubbins, Hills, Shipley; Woods, Martin; Nolan, Pritchard, Whalley; Woods

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Coleman; Forrester, Toal, Iredale; Dacres-Cogley, Morley, Sheehan, Thomason, Williams; Bodvarsson, Charles

We say: Accrington Stanley 0-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton have conceded in just two of their previous 10 away matches, and we think that they will produce another strong defensive performance to lay the platform for a victorious outing against their fourth-tier opponents.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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