Bolton Wanderers are colossal favourites to secure a victory over relegation-threatened Cambridge United when both sides lock horns in Monday's League One encounter at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The Trotters returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Exeter City on Good Friday, while Cambridge defeated Fleetwood Town 2-1.

Match preview

Just when Bolton faced the possibility of dropping out of the playoff positions in League One, they picked up a much-needed victory over Exeter on Friday.

Conor Bradley was the match-winner for the Trotters, who had gone four games without winning before the last gameweek, losing twice in that run.

They rank fifth in the table, level on points with in-form Peterborough United and Derby County, whose three consecutive defeats preceding Good Friday's win over bottom Forest Green Rovers had seen them fail to take advantage of Bolton's wobble.

Ian Evatt's men ended Exeter's three-game unbeaten streak, and they will want to halt Cambridge's two-match winning sequence.

Despite the 2-0 defeat by Ipswich Town, the Trotters' recent record at home reads four wins and a loss, and there is no shame in losing to the league's second-placed side.

As for Cambridge, the last two wins over Port Vale and Fleetwood have seen them move within three points of escaping the bottom four, albeit having played 39 games.

Success at Port Vale at the start of April is their only away win in five games, giving Bolton the confidence to earn their 13th home win in 2022-23 against Easter Monday's visitors.

Mark Bonner's team must find some form in the coming weeks to have any chance of beating relegation to League Two.

For that to happen, they must find their scoring boots sooner rather than later, with 32 goals better than only cellar-dwelling Forest Green in the entire league.

The club from Cambridgeshire could not beat Bolton in the reverse fixture at Abbey Stadium, playing out a goalless stalemate, despite a sending-off for the Trotters in the final 15 minutes.

Team News

Dion Charles has not scored in League One since late February, although he did find the back of the net in Bolton's 4-0 EFL Trophy success against Plymouth Argyle.

The Trotters' top scorer should be partnered with Elias Kachunga, who is yet to open his account in the competition after 33 appearances (15 starts).

Sam Smith has netted a goal each in Cambridge's last two wins, and the striker will be central to Bonner's troops' ambition to prevent Bolton from returning to winning ways.

Adam May is still out with a cruciate ligament injury sustained last October, ruling him out for the rest of the 2022-23 season.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Jones, Johnston, Mbete; Bradley, Sheehan, Dempsey, John; Lee; Kachunga, Charles

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mitov; L. Bennett, R. Bennett, Jones, Dunk; McGrandles, Digby; Brophy, Lankester, Tracey; Smith

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Cambridge United

Despite not being free-scoring on home turf, Bolton have the meanest defence in the third tier, and that stinginess should put them in good stead against a side that have netted 13 goals in 19 away League Two fixtures.

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