In a battle between two sides in the League One playoff places, Bolton Wanderers take on Derby County at the University of Bolton Stadium on Boxing Day.

The Wanderers are currently fifth in the table, one point ahead of the Rams, who occupy sixth place.

Match preview

Bolton have managed to build on a ninth-placed finish in League One last season, comfortably inside the top six as a result of a very impressive home record in the first half of the campaign.

Having acquired 23 points from 11 games, Ian Evatt's side boast the second-best record on home soil in the entire division, trailing only league leaders Plymouth Argyle, also conceding a total of just eight goals.

While form on the road has not been as impressive, the Whites have still displayed this defensive acumen on their travels, with their total tally of 19 goals conceded being the fourth-best record in the league, and paramount to their solid season.

The Wanderers had been enduring somewhat of a dip in form, having won just one of their five previous matches prior to last weekend's encounter with Exeter City at the University of Bolton Stadium.

However, goals from Conor Bradley and Dion Charles in the first half ensured that Bolton got back to winning ways in League One, but they will need to be at their best to follow that victory up this weekend, as they have only beaten Derby in one of their last 11 attempts.

Not only that, but the Rams have only lost one of their last 12 games in all competitions, with this coming away at Liverpool in the EFL Cup at the start of November, a match that was decided on penalties.

While Paul Warne will be happy that his side have been difficult to beat, it is worth noting that they have actually drawn more times than they have won during this run, sharing the spoils on six occasions, and winning on five.

Much like Bolton, solid efforts in defence have been vital for Derby's current league position, and with 17 goals conceded, they have the joint-second best defensive record in the division, having also conceded just twice in their last six matches in all competitions.

In their last match, the Rams also displayed their abilities going forward, romping home to a 4-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers at Pride Park, their biggest win in League One all season.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing opened the scoring after five minutes before David McGoldrick scored a hat-trick, continuing his good recent form and securing all three points for his side, but Saturday's game is likely to be a far tougher test.

Team News

Declan John is now available again in defence for Bolton, but Evatt may wait before returning him to the starting lineup, given that his team kept a clean sheet last time out.

Instead, the manager may opt for Eoin Toal, Will Aimson and George Johnston, who all started the last match, in a 3-4-1-2 system.

Dion Charles should be a nailed-on starter in attack, having scored four goals in his last four games, partnering Oladapo Afolayan, who scored in the 4-0 victory against Manchester United Under-21s last week.

Derby have been handed an injury boost with the news that goalkeeper Joseph Anang is now back in contention, after overcoming an injury problem which has ruled him out throughout this campaign.

However, Joe Wildsmith has been performing well as of late and may keep his place between the sticks, with Eiran Cashin, Craig Forsyth, Louie Sibley and Korey Smith making up the back four in front of him.

After his recent displays, David McGoldrick is a nailed-on starter in attack, with James Collins set to play alongside him.

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Toal, Aimson, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Sheehan, Iredale, Lee; Afolayan, Charles

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Cashin, Sibley; Mendez-Laing, Hourihane, Bird, Barkhuizen; McGoldrick, Collins

We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Derby County

The two teams are very evenly matched, as indicated by their league positions, so it is difficult to pick a winner on Boxing Day.

As such, we expect that the match will finish as a draw, with both sides maintaining their place in the League One playoffs.

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

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