It’s a massive game in the League One promotion race as Wanderers host Portsmouth in front of a bumper crowd at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The Whites will be keen to take advantage of Derby’s slip-up at Wycombe in midweek as they battle to break into the top two.

Meanwhile, a victory would see Pompey crowned champions and secure their place in the Championship next season.

Team news

Josh Sheehan and Ricardo Santos should both be available despite picking up hamstring and calf problems respectively against Bristol Rovers.

Gethin Jones is available after missing the past few games with a knock suffered while on international duty with Australia.

Dion Charles could feature off the bench after spending a couple of months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Dan Nlundulu is also closing in on a return, while Nathan Baxter made his comeback at the Memorial Stadium last weekend.

Opposition lowdown

Portsmouth have a seven-point cushion at the top of the table following their 3-1 win against Shrewsbury last weekend.

Colby Bishop bagged a brace against Salop, taking his tally to 20 goals since the start of the campaign.

John Mousinho’s side haven’t lost in the league since a 3-0 defeat against Leyton Orient on January 13.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced Portsmouth 105 times in their history, with a record of 44 wins, 23 draws and 38 defeats.

Evatt’s men lost 2-0 when the sides met at Fratton Park earlier in the season after goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi either side of half time.

The Whites’ last victory in the fixture came in January 2023 when Charles, Kieran Lee and Eoin Toal were all on target.

Bolton also ran out 1-0 winners in the EFL Trophy quarter-final several days prior, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson getting the decisive goal that night.

Predicted line-up

The Bolton News: