There have been 17 days since Pompey were last in League One for a Fratton draw with Wycombe. So there is certainly a desire from fans, staff and players alike to see the Blues in action on their 124th birthday at Bolton this evening (8pm kick-off). This fixture was supposed to take place a couple of Saturdays ago, but both sides were missing players on international duty. There is currently only goal difference separating them in the table, with Wanderers one place lower in 11th spot. Ian Evatt’s men were in action at the weekend, with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s late header holding automatic promotion-chasing Wigan to a draw. But they have collected just a single point from their two most recent home contests with Morecambe and Plymouth. John Marquis was on target early in the second half when Pompey won a close contest on the south coast back in October. And the Blues also triumphed 1-0 on their most recent visit to the University of Bolton Stadium in January 2020, with Christian Burgess grabbing the only goal. TEAM NEWS Shaun Williams is back in contention after returning to training following his recovery from a back injury. But Kieron Freeman (ankle), Reeco Hackett (knee) and Jayden Reid (knee) all remain sidelined for Pompey. Kieran Lee (heel) is missing for Bolton and Declan John (back) is a doubt, while Dapo Afolayan and Kyle Dempsey have both been carrying knocks. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 36 wins Bolton: 42 wins 22 draws On the road Pompey: 10 wins Bolton: 32 wins 7 draws TICKETS Tickets are no longer available to purchase for Pompey fans. Supporters collecting tickets should visit the main ticket office at Bolton, which is located next to the club shop. OFFICIALS Referee: Marc Edwards Assistants: Ian Smedley and Richard Woodward Fourth Official: Conor Brown MATCH COVERAGE Supporters at home and abroad can watch the contest live by purchasing an iFollow match pass and visiting the match centre. Domestic iFollow subscribers can also enjoy audio commentary from Andrew Moon and Guy Whittingham as usual, but will need to purchase a match pass if they want to watch the game. BETTING Bolton are the 7/5 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while Pompey can be backed at 2/1.
Final whistle, and it's a 1-1 draw. Pompey took the lead in the 50th minute with a goal from Aiden O'Brien from a cross by Marcus Harness. Bolton equalised in the 76th minute with a penalty from Kieran Sadlier after Hayden carter unfortunately fouled a Bolton player. Just before the half time whistle there was a crude Kyle Dempsey challenge on Marcus Harness that earned the midfielder a yellow card. Early in the second half another yellow card was given to Will Aimson for a foul on George Hirst. Hayden Carter could have won the match for Pompey in the 92nd minute with a terrific left foot shot that nearly crept in. That was possibly the best I have seen Pompey play all season, with some lovely passing !
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Bolton............. Away Team: Portsmouth Possession: Home 57% Away 43% Shots: Home 11 Away 12 Shots on Target: Home 6 Away 5 Corners: Home 1 Away 3 Fouls: Home 10 Away 11
Thanks Woopert's! As we are marooned in the table, with only Bolton and Ipswich for company, I hope Pompey.can just go out there and perform for.the last 7 matches of the season. We could have a bearing on the autos and play-offs as we still have to play Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan so we are "involved" in the promotion race.
