Bolton Wanderers vs Reading: Match Preview 2023/24
The Royals face one of their most difficult games of the campaign today.
Reading face a tough trip today as they face Bolton Wanderers.
The Trotters are still in the automatic promotion mix at this point - and have looked brilliant at times during the 2023/24 campaign.
Rising up from League Two under Ian Evatt and managing to rebuild following their previous ownership issues, they will be an inspiration to the Royals who will be hoping to enjoy a brighter future under new owners.
In the short term though, survival is the only thing that should be in their sights.
There’s still work to be done, but it may be difficult for them to secure a positive result today.
Ahead of the game, we have your preview.
What? League One Matchday 41
Season? 2023/24
Who? Bolton Wanderers
Where? Toughsheet Community Stadium
When? Monday 1st April
Time? 3pm
Opposition Manager? Ian Evatt
The Royals
What a win against Northampton Town!
As many others have said, we weren’t at our best on Friday and could have easily lost, but the team showed real determination to get the three points.
It goes without saying that we’ll need a better performance to get three points today, but we need to enjoy the wins when we get them and fans would have enjoyed Friday.
The race for survival isn’t over yet and I’ll remain extremely nervous in the coming weeks, but if we can get a couple more wins on the board, that may be enough.
That’s easier said than done considering the strength of teams we are facing and the fact we have so many away games, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
The Opponents
I watched Bolton live in action earlier this month and they were superb.
Oxford United (yes, I was dragged along to watch them on a Tuesday evening) didn’t perform well that night, but the Trotters were class and had plenty of threats on the pitch.
Nathanael Ogbeta was particularly good against the U’s - and if we aren’t careful - we could be hammered this afternoon.
What we need to try and do is try and rescue some control of the game and make the most of the chances we have. That’s an easy job, right?!
My Lineup
Starting XI: Pereira, Dorsett, Bindon, Mbengue, Yiadom, Savage, Wing, Mukairu, Knibbs, Azeez, Smith
Joel Pereira was exceptional again on Friday and deserves to keep his spot between the sticks.
Clinton Mola is another player who deserves to keep his place in the first 11, but Andy Yiadom should probably come in considering he has performed brilliantly at times this term.
The rest of the defence remains unchanged, as does the midfield pairing, with Charlie Savage doing more than enough to prove that he’s a capable option to have when we need to defend.
Paul Mukairu comes in for Ben Elliott, who had a nightmare performance on Friday. Clearly, Elliott needs to be a potential replacement for Knibbs and not a wing option, even though I can understand the logic of playing a permanent signing instead of a loanee.
Mukairu in the starting lineup with Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan coming off the bench would be ideal.
Harvey Knibbs wasn’t too effective on Friday, and neither was Femi Azeez. I wouldn’t be against giving Azeez a rest, but he can be a game-changer when 100% fit.
Up top, Sam Smith is the main man again. Again, he wasn’t brilliant on Friday but none of the attacking players were.
Unfortunately, I’ve gone for a loss in this clash. This isn’t because of the Royals, but because Bolton are such a dangerous team.
Score Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Reading
Other League One Fixtures
Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers vs Reading
Bristol Rovers vs Shrewsbury Town
Burton Albion vs Barnsley
Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic
Carlisle United vs Lincoln City
Charlton Athletic vs Stevenage
Cheltenham Town vs Exeter City
Leyton Orient vs Peterborough United
Northampton Town vs Port Vale
Oxford United vs Fleetwood Town
Portsmouth vs Derby County (2nd April; 8pm)
All games get underway at 3pm unless stated