Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Oakwell hosts Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers this Friday in the first leg of the Play-off Semi Finals in League One. Both sides will be looking to assert their dominance in the tie as they have their sights set on a trip to Wembley.

Date: 03/05/2024

Kick off time: 19:30

Location: Oakwell

The 2024 League One Play-offs see a replay of a Semi Final from last year. Barnsley will look to replicate their 2 - 1 aggregate win from last season whereas Bolton will look to change their luck and finally make it to Wembley.

Barnsley finished the League One season in sixth after 46 games. The Tykes picked up 21 wins, 13 draws and 12 losses, leaving them on 76 points, just two points within the Play-offs and above Lincoln.

The Tykes have been somewhat of a ‘yo-yo’ team of late. Barnsley were relegated from the Championship in 2014 but were promoted via the Play-offs in 2016. The Tykes were then relegated back to League One in 2018 and then were automatically promoted a season later. Barnsley were relegated again in 2022 and despite making the Play-offs again, were beaten in the Final.

Bolton, however, finished the League One season in third. In 46 games, Bolton picked up 25 wins, 12 draws and nine losses which left them on 87 points, five points from the last automatic promotion spot.

The Wanderers were playing Championship football like Barnsley in 2016, but finished bottom of the league and were relegated. Bolton were straight back in the Championship with automatic promotion but only lasted two seasons. Bolton then suffered back-to-back relegations, winning their way back from League Two in 2021. Last season, Bolton did make the Play-offs but were beaten by Barnsley in the Semi Finals.

This will be the 50th meeting between Barnsley and Bolton, with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1899. Bolton have the better record in the fixture with 18 wins in comparison to Barnsley’s 14 wins. In fact, there have been more draws than Barnsley wins, a draw happening on 17 occasions.

The last five games in this fixture have seen three draws and a win each for Barnsley and Bolton. Also, three of the last five games have seen both sides on the scoresheet.

Barnsley Team News

Neill Collins has Donovan Pines out for the rest of the season along with Robbie Cundy, Josh Benson and Jon Russell who will likely miss the first leg.

Bolton Team News

Ian Evatt has Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, George Jonhston and Carlos Gomes all likely out for the first leg this weekend.

In their last five games in all competitions, Barnsley have two draws and three losses.

The trip to Stevenage saw The Tykes take the lead through Adam Phillips but Jamie Reid drew Stevenage level in the first half added time. Dan Butler then put Stevenage ahead early in the second half and with Barnsley were only able to register two shots on target, Stevenage held on for the 2 - 1 win.

Sam Smith opened the scoring for Reading just after the 20 minute mark but Phillips was on the scoresheet again for Barnsley to make it level at halftime. Reading then regained the lead through Lewis Wing with just ten minutes to go, but Fabio Jalo popped up with a late goal of his own to rescue a 2 - 2 draw for Barnsley.

Devante Cole gave Barnsley the lead in the sixth minute against Champions Portsmouth but Kusini Yengi equalised for Pompey before the ten minute mark. John McAtee did regain the lead for The Tykes before the hour mark but a late penalty from Colby Bishop equalised and an even later goal from Conor Shaughnessy gave Portsmouth the 3 - 2 win.

It was another 3 - 2 loss for Barnsley, this time against Blackpool. Sonny Carey and James Husband gave Blackpool the 2 - 0 lead at halftime and Hayden Coulson added another just two minutes into the second half. McAtee and Phillips did score in the second half but couldn’t find a third.

The last time out for Barnsley was against Northampton Town. Herbie Kane opened the scoring for Barnsley before the 20 minute mark but a goal in the sixth minute of extra time Louis George Appere found the back of the net to give Northampton the 1 - 1 draw.

In their last five games in all competitions, Bolton have two wins and three draws.

After a goalless first half against Bristol Rovers, Aaron Collins found the back of the net early in the second half for Bolton. Aaron Morley also converted his penalty in the 98th minute to secure the 2 - 0 win for Bolton.

A big game against Portsmouth saw Bolton behind early as Abu Kamara scored in the seventh minute. Collins was on the scoresheet again to level the game and despite Bolton having five more shots on target, they were unable to convert them and the game finished 1 - 1.

Daniel Udoh opened the scoring for Shrewsbury on the 20 minute mark but Cameron Jerome equalised for Bolton just 20 minutes later. Jordan Shipley put Shrewsbury back ahead before halftime but a second half goal from Paris Maghoma rescued a 2 - 2 draw for Bolton.

Bolton were back to winning ways against Port Vale. Despite having 27 shots and 72% of the possession, it took until the 72nd minute to open the scoring, with Collins on the scoresheet. Jerome added another in extra time to give Bolton the 2 - 0 win.

The most recent outing for Bolton was against Peterborough. A goal from Kyle Dempsey and a penalty from Dion Charles gave Bolton the 2 - 0 lead before the ten minute mark. A brace from Malik Motersille and a goal from Joel Randall gave Peterborough the 3 - 2 lead with just ten minute mark, but a late goal from Jerome forced the 3 - 3 draw.

Barnsley have had some troubling form at the end of the regular season, making Bolton likely to take a win into the second leg, though with both teams on the scoresheet. Barnsley 1 - 2 Bolton.

Barnsley vs Bolton will be shown on Sky Sports Football in the U.K. and can also be followed online on BBC Sport or Sky Sports.

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