Bolton Wanderers travel to Pride Park on Friday night to face Derby County, with both Championship sides seeking to arrest poor runs of form. The Trotters have not won since October 13 and sit 19th in the table with 14 points from 13 games, a position that shows their recent defensive struggles. Their league record of four wins and two draws from thirteen matches leaves them fourteen points behind the leaders, Middlesbrough.
Their last outing was a 2-3 home defeat to Bristol City on Saturday 31 October, a game that highlighted their issues. Josh Sheehan and Sam Dalby found the net, but defensive lapses proved costly. Dalby is the team's top scorer this season with five goals in 13 appearances, a bright spot in a difficult campaign. This run includes a heavy 1-5 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday 24 October and a 0-0 draw at Southampton on Saturday 17 October.
Derby County have also been inconsistent, failing to win in their last five Championship fixtures. Their recent results include a heavy 1-4 loss at Millwall and a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. Both managers have confirmed they will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for this encounter, suggesting a tactical battle in midfield.
For Bolton, the immediate focus is on stopping the slide. They have conceded 26 goals this season, the fourth-worst defensive record in the division, while scoring eighteen for a goal difference of minus eight. The team's next assignment after this trip is a visit to Charlton on Tuesday, November 3, a quick turnaround that adds pressure to get a result at Derby. Charlton currently sit 20th in the table, just below Bolton.
The fixture represents a key opportunity for Bolton to gain ground in a congested mid-table. A positive result would provide a vital boost ahead of a busy week of Championship football.
