After sorting out their myriad of off-field issues, Bolton are now trying to get things right on the pitch. Pompey fans can certainly empathise with what they were going through over the summer, when there appeared a real threat that another League One side could be expelled from the EFL. Wanderers were, thankfully, taken over, but hit with a 12-point penalty and forced to build a squad from scratch. So it comes as no surprise that they are propping up the rest of the division with half of their fixtures still to play. There was a further points deduction hanging over the club following their failure to fulfil a couple of games over the past two seasons. But an arbitration panel suspended their sentence and the EFL – who said the decision was too lenient – failed in an appeal. It means that Keith Hill’s men can fully concentrate on trying to bridge the daunting 17-point gap between them and safety. They have failed to win any of their past five fixtures, however, and go into Saturday’s contest on the back of a three-match losing run. Pompey have not travelled to Bolton since a Premier League clash in April 2010, when Aruna Dindane’s brace saw the visitors battle from behind to snatch a point. TEAM NEWS Winger Ryan Williams is available for selection again after missing the past five matches with a groin injury. Jack Whatmough is also in contention after playing 90 minutes for the reserves earlier in the week, while Brett Pitman has recovered from illness. Lee Brown (Achilles), Ross McCrorie (hamstring) and Bryn Morris (groin) are all still absent for the Blues. Bolton could hand a debut to Brandon Fleming following the defender’s loan arrival from Hull for the remainder of the season. Jason Lowe is also available after completing a three-match ban, but Yoan Zouma (hamstring) misses out. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 34 wins Bolton: 42 wins 22 draws At Bolton Pompey: 9 wins Bolton: 32 wins 7 draws TICKETS Pompey fans can secure tickets online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office until 3pm today. There will be no sales to away supporters on the day of the game. OFFICIALS Referee: Tom Nield Assistants: Matthew Smith and Craig Taylor Fourth Official: Graeme Fyvie BETTING Pompey are the 8/13 favourites with Sky Bet to secure all three points, while the hosts can be backed at 17/4.
This will be a lot tougher than it looks on paper. We struggled to a 1-0 win at Fratton and we haven't won away in the league since 23rd November.
Attempt missed. Cameron McGeehan (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. 5 minutes.
Attempt missed. Ethan Hamilton (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Brandon Fleming. 6 minutes.
Attempt blocked. Joseph Dodoo (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 19 minutes.
Attempt blocked. Cameron McGeehan (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sean Raggett. 21 minutes.
Attempt saved. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ellis Harrison. 25 minutes.
Attempt missed. James Bolton (Portsmouth) right footed shot from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ronan Curtis with a cross following a corner. 26 minutes.
Attempt blocked. Ethan Hamilton (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 28 minutes.
Attempt missed. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. 33 minutes.
0-1 to Pompey. Corner from Steve Seddon dropped by keeper Remi Matthews, and chipped in to the net by Christian Burgess for his first goal of the season. 42 minutes.
Attempt saved. Sean Raggett (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Steve Seddon with a cross. 43 minutes.