Bolton will host Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow, and whether we like it or not, it’s going to be an opportunity to experiment.
We will be without a few key players for the visit of the Owls, as we look to rack up enough points to secure a top half-finish.
IAN EVATT | Manager ahead of Sheffield Wednesday home fixture – YouTube
Team news
Ricardo Santos, Dapo Afolayan and Kyle Dempsey will all be unavailable after coming off with hamstring injuries during Tuesday’s draw with Portsmouth. Kieran Lee isn’t likely to be ready to face his former club, but Dion Charles will be available after the FA’s investigation into historical tweets spared him from a ban.
Possible XI: Trafford; Jones, Aimson, Johnston; Sadlier, Williams, Morley, John; Kachunga; Charles, Bodvarsson
Last time
Our last home game against Wednesday was in March 2019, when we met in the Championship. We lost 2-0 that night, Steven Fletcher scored just before half-time, before Rolando Aarons doubled the pain just before the hour-mark. We were five points from safety after that match, with players receiving their previous month’s wages just hours before the game.
The opposition
Sheffield Wednesday are looking for an immediate return to the Championship. It will have to be via the play-offs, but recent form is good and they go into the match fifth. Lee Gregory is their main striker with 10 goals, but pulling the strings will be a player who impressed in his short time with us – Barry Bannan went to Wednesday after that and has stayed ever since.
Prediction
The two highest scorers in the division in 2022, so 0-0. In all serious though, Wednesday’s huge away following and something to play for, in addition to our injuries, might give them an advantage. But the lack of pressure could benefit us too, Who knows? Bolton to spring a mild surprise and win 2-1.