Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Beaten play-off finalists Bolton Wanderers are struggling to get into the League One promotion mix this season, but a win over Mansfield Town could vault them into the top six.

The Stags have dropped out of the play-off places themselves on the back of a four-game winless streak in the league which they will be determined to arrest.

Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town betting tips and predictions

Both Teams Not to Score - 21/20

Inconsistency is blighting Bolton and a lack of goals suddenly doing for Mansfield, which makes their showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium a tough one to call.

Bolton would look too short at 7/10 if they reproduce their effort at Cambridge United last time out, a match they drew 1-1 despite having an extra man for almost the entire second half.

Ian Evatt's men have, however, won their last four games at home where they are unbeaten in seven in all competitions since a 4-0 tonking by Huddersfield Town in September.

Fans are frustrated that a side which looked so good last season is not reproducing and results like the recent 2-1 FA Cup exit at Walsall and 5-0 hammering at rivals Stockport County can do nothing for self-confidence.

The knives are out for Evatt, who has a tweak in midfield to make with George Thomason suspended.

Mansfield had enjoyed a dream start to life back in League One after winning promotion, but they have cooled in recent weeks.

FA Cup wins at Curzon Ashton a month ago and 1-0 at Stevenage on Saturday have sandwiched a trio of 1-0 league losses at Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers and at home against Bristol Rovers.

They weren't played off the park against leaders Wycombe but they are struggling to score goals and are missing seven-goal top scorer Lee Gregory.

Clough is relying on a seasoned group of senior pros - he has one of the older squads in the division - and worryingly they are giving up more shots per game than even Burton.

There is definitely a sense that they may have levelled out after their fine start - even in Saturday's cup win at Stevenage Clough was left to lament, in his view, their worst first half of the season.

Clough is missing centre-back Baily Cargill through suspension, but they will roll up their sleeves and try to frustrate an already frustrated Bolton.

Mansfield's games aren't particularly high-scoring and it would be entirely plausible to envisage both teams not scoring at a very fair 21/20.

Both teams have failed to score in seven of the Stags' last nine in the league.

Corners Race to 7 - Neither - Evens

The Trotters are averaging 5.4 corners per game this season and conceding 5.1, while the Stags are averaging 4.9 corners per game and conceding 4.3.

There is little in those figures to suggest the corner tally will go through the roof in this clash, where the idea that either side reaches seven corners is over-rated.

Early Goal - No Goal Before 26:00 - 5/6

In only one of Bolton's eight home league games this season have they scored a goal inside the first 26 minutes and in only two of Mansfield's seven away league games this season have they managed to do likewise.

If there is a sense that both teams may be struggling for goals, then the prospect of an early one - before the 26th minute - isn't hugely appealing.

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Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town odds

Bolton Wanderers - 7/10
Draw - 29/10
Mansfield Town - 10/3

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.