Bolton Wanderers must break a decade-long losing streak against Middlesbrough to climb the Championship table on Friday night. Steven Schumacher's side host a Boro team that has won all ten of their last competitive meetings, including a 3-0 victory in July 2024.

They are unbeaten since a game week two loss to Blackburn Rovers and have scored in every league fixture this season. Their matches have been high-scoring, with goals at both ends in nine of their eleven outings and an average of 3.6 goals per game across their last five.

Home form a genuine concern

Bolton's task is complicated by their patchy home record at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. They have won just two of their five matches there this season, conceding seven goals and suffering three defeats in their last four outings. This contrasts with recent encouraging away results, including a 3-1 win at Wolves and last week's 0-0 draw at Southampton that ended the Saints' 30-game league scoring run.

The club sits 15th in the Championship with 14 points from 11 games, a position that underlines the need for points to stay clear of the relegation scrap. Their recent form reads three wins, one draw and one loss from the last five, offering a platform to build upon. Sam Dalby leads the scoring charts for Bolton with four goals this season.

Squad news and manager outlook

Injury news shapes Schumacher's selection. Winger Jayden Nelson is out for around six weeks with a groin injury, while striker David Strelec is set to return to training next Monday but will miss this fixture. Defender Alfie Jones remains several weeks away from fitness after a calf strain.

Schumacher said his team is looking forward to the game and expects an exciting contest with goals. His opposite number, Kim Hellberg, stated his Middlesbrough side creates many chances and concedes very few, with winning games the clear objective. Key threats include on-loan winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, who has two goals and three assists for Boro this term, and summer signing Will Lankshear, who tops the division's scoring charts with nine goals.

Over 25,000 fans are expected at the Toughsheet Community Stadium for the 8pm kick-off, with referee Simon Hooper in charge. Bolton will then turn their attention to the next match in the fixtures schedule, a key period as they look to solidify their league standing.

The original report is at bwfc.co.uk