Bolton Wanderers' predicted line-up for Cambridge clash

Ian Evatt’s side produced the response they wanted against Blackpool on Saturday, having been put back on their heels by a heavy defeat at Stockport County.

But they go to the Abbey Stadium as one of the division’s in-form teams over the last 10 games, with only leaders Wycombe picking up more points in that period.

Team news

Wanderers are without wing-back Szabolcs Schön, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Blackpool on Saturday.

Injury-wise there are no new issues reported by Ian Evatt but the Bolton boss did confirm that both George Thomason and Gethin Jones came through unscathed at the weekend on their return from injury.

Kyle Dempsey is missing until late December after surgery on his knee, by which time most of Wanderers’ injured list should be cleared. Currently, Eoin Toal, Chris Forino and Carlos Mendes Gomes are out with hamstring issues, but all three should be back on duty next month.

Cambridge United will be unable to play Bolton loanee Dan Nlundulu but ex-Whites man Elias Kachunga will be part of Garry Monk’s squad.

Opposition lowdown

Cambridge pulled away slightly from the bottom four with a solid goalless draw at Northampton Town at the weekend, amid terrible wintry conditions. The weather is due to settle tonight – with little chance of the torrential downpour that forced the cancellation of this fixture first time around last season.

The U’s have recovered from a slow start and are unbeaten in four games in all competitions at the Abbey Stadium, which included a 2-0 win against Wigan Athletic and 2-0 win at Stevenage. Their only defeat in the last eight games in league and cup was a thumping 6-1 reverse at Peterborough United.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced Cambridge United on 19 occasions in all competitions throughout their history and currently have the edge with nine wins, eight draws and four defeats.

After the corresponding game last season was initially called off for an unplayable pitch, the second outing proved fruitful for Bolton, who came back from a goal down to win 2-1, with Paris Maghoma and Carlos Mendes Gomes on the scoresheet.

Wanderers’ first-ever competitive game at the Abbey was in April 1980, where goals from Peter Reid, Dusan Nikolic and Neil Whatmore earned a 3-2 win.

Predicted line-up

Cambridge played three at the back in their last game at Northampton, and if they continue to do that, Ian Evatt has tended to match up his own shape to use a two-man attack.

How Bolton could line up against Cambridge with a 3-5-2 (Image: Line-up builder)

But if Cambridge divert from 3-5-2, then Wanderers could change their approach to 3-4-3.

How Wanderers could line-up against Cambridge United (Image: Line-up builder)