bwfc.co.uk previews Wanderers' Boxing Day clash with the Shrews at Macron Stadium
Having lost just once at home in the league so far season, bwfc.co.uk highlights five talking points ahead of Wanderers' Boxing Day clash with Shrewsbury Town at Macron Stadium.
1. Festive double-header
Wanderers welcome Shrewsbury Town to Macron Stadium on Boxing Day as Phil Parkinson's side look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat away at Chesterfield.
Part I of a festive double-header at BL6, Phil Parkinson's men currently sit third in Sky Bet League One and will be desperate to start as they mean to go on against the Shrews.
And with the Whites currently four points off the summit with their New Year's Eve clash with league leaders Scunthorpe United looming, the stakes are high ahead of what could be a season-defining week at Macron Stadium!
2. Home comforts
Although disappointed to see their five-match winning run may have come to an end last weekend, Bolton can be buoyed heading into Monday's game having emerged victorious in all of their last eight outings at Macron Stadium!
Having conceded just three goals at BL6 during this run, the last time the Trotters dropped points at home came back in early October while they have lost just once on home soil in the league this season.
More of the same on Boxing Day please, lads!
3. Josh Vela's scoring run
One of Wanderers' star performers so far this season, Josh Vela has shone in the number 10 position in recent weeks.
Having scored twice from his first 82 appearances for the Club, the midfielder has already found the back of the net six times from his last 24 outings with season only just at the halfway stage!
The 26-year-old has also scored in four of his last five outings at Macron Stadium and will be hungry for more as the Whites look to prolong the feel-good festivities among their home support.
4. Big crowd
One of the most eagerly-anticipated days of the English football league calendar, Boxing Day traditionally sees one of the biggest crowds of the season pile into Macron Stadium and Monday is expected to be no different!
To minimise supporter queuing time, tickets for Monday's game will be available on Block D of the West Stand Lower on a cash only basis from 2pm.
Tickets for other areas of the ground can be bought from Bolton Central as normal or alternatively you can buy online and print at home.
With everyone full of festive cheer after spending Christmas Day with family and friends, why not come down to BL6 to cheer on Bolton as they look to maintain their promotion push heading towards the second half of the campaign?
5. Can Wanderers tame the Shrews?
Monday's game also sees Shrewsbury Town pay their first ever visit to Macron Stadium as the two sides go head to head in the league for the first time since February 1992.
A sole Capital One Cup meeting marks the only other clash between the two teams since then with Darren Pratley the only survivor from the Trotters side that triumphed 3-1 at Greenhous Meadow in August 2013.
Shrewsbury currently find themselves in the Sky Bet League One relegation, with only an inferior goals scored record keeping them in the drop-zone behind Chesterfield.
However, Paul Hurst's side have started to find form in recent weeks and come into Monday's game off the back of successive league victories over Millwall and Bristol Rovers.
With a potential victory crucial to Wanderers ahead of their clash with Scunthorpe, will the Whites be able to tame the Shrews?
Half season tickets are now on sale, with adult supporters able to back Bolton during the second half of the campaign from just £13.33 a game!
Following an impressive start to their domestic exploits inside the opening months of the season, Phil Parkinson’s men will head into the New Year looking to build on their efforts so far as the Whites bid to return to the second tier of English football.
For more information or to purchase your half season ticket, please phone 0844 871 2932, visit Bolton Central in person or click onto the club’s ticketing website, www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc.