Preview: Carlisle United vs. Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers return to league action on a high from their midweek win as they travel to lowly Carlisle United.

A 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening moved Bolton up to third position and saw a swift return to winning ways after last Saturday’s defeat at Leyton Orient.

A week on from the O’s earning a maximum over the Whites, Ian Evatt’s men will face Carlisle at Brunton Park, a fellow newly promoted side, looking to keep pace with Portsmouth and Peterborough in the Top 2.

As January nears its conclusion, the second half of the season will be an interesting climax for Bolton to see if they can finally get over their line to finally return to championship football at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

To recover from being ten points adrift is a thankless task, but it’s one Carlisle United will have to achieve if they want to play their football in League One again next campaign.

The bump in quality from League Two to One has certainly taken its toll on Paul Simpson’s men, as only Fleetwood’s dismal 18 points keep them at the bottom of the division.

With Carlisle already beating Bolton at Wanderers’ home turf at the beginning of the campaign, it begs the question: can the Cumbrians stun the Whites again?