Portsmouth v Bolton Wanderers, EFL Championship

The big picture

Portsmouth come in 11th on the ladder with 22 points; Bolton Wanderers are 18th on 17. Portsmouth have the higher position to protect.

Portsmouth are 6–5–4 in EFL Championship 2026-27, averaging 1.3 goals for and 1.2 against.

Bolton Wanderers are 5–8–2 in EFL Championship 2026-27, averaging 1.3 goals for and 1.9 against.

Form

Portsmouth have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Stoke City 1–2.

Bolton Wanderers have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Derby County 1–3.

Head to head

These sides have met 101 times on our records since 1927: Portsmouth 36, Bolton Wanderers 42, 23 drawn.

Last time out (2023-24, EFL League One), it was a draw 1–1.

Biggest margin between these two: Portsmouth by 5 goals in 1952-53 (5–0).

Players to watch

For Portsmouth, watch Terry Devlin (0.3 goals a game in 2026-27) and Marko Milovanovic (0.3 goals a game in 2026-27).

For Bolton Wanderers, watch Sam Dalby (0.4 goals a game in 2026-27) and Thierry Gale (0.2 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Thomas Waddingham is set to play game 50.

At Fratton Park

Portsmouth have won 8 of their last 20 at Fratton Park.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Portsmouth go in as clear favourites.