Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Barnsley make the trip to Bolton for the second leg of the League One Play-off Semi Finals. Bolton picked up a big win in the first leg, but all hope is not lost for Barnsley, who could turn it around this weekend.

• Bolton and Barnsley to draw @ 3.95 on SBK
• Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6 on CopyBet
• Both teams to score @ 13/20 on BetUK

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Date: 07/05/2024

Kick off time: 20:00

Location: Toughsheet Community Stadium

Following Bolton’s win in the first leg, Barnsley need to pull out both a big win and to keep a clean sheet if they want any shot of making it to the Play-off Final at Wembley.

Bolton Wanderers finished the League One season in third after 46 games. The Wanderers have 25 wins, 12 draws and nine draws, leaving them on 87 points, just five points from Derby in the last automatic promotion spot.

The Wanderers had an impressive showing in front of goal this season. In 46 games, Bolton scored 86 goals, an average of 1.87 goals a game, only bested by Peterborough. Bolton were a little less consistent at the other end of the pitch, conceding 51 goals but also keeping 18 clean sheets, the third most in League One.

Barnsley, on the other hand, finished the League One season in sixth, the last Play-off spot. In 46 games, Barnsley picked up 21 wins, 13 draws and 12 losses which left them in sixth, just two points above Lincoln and three points above Blackpool.

The Tykes were also amongst the goals this season, scoring 82 goals in 46 games which gives them an average of 1.78 goals a game. In fact, their top scorer Devante Cole had the third most goals in the league with 18 goals. However, Barnsley have struggled more defensively. The Tykes have conceded 64 goals and kept 11 clean sheets.

There have been 50 meetings between Bolton and Barnsley, with the first meeting coming all the way back in 1899. Bolton have the better record in the fixture with 19 wins in comparison to Barnsley’s 14 wins. However, there have been more draws in this fixture than wins for Barnsley with 17 so far.

The last five games in this fixture have seen one win each for Bolton and Barnsley and three draws. Other than the 1 - 0 win for Barnsley in 2023, four of the last five games have seen both sides on the scoresheet.

Bolton Wanderers Team News

Ian Evatt could be without Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, George Johnston and Carlos Gomes this week.

Barnsley Team News

Neill Collins could be missing the likes of Robbie Cundy and Josh Benson this week. Donovan Pines is out for the rest of the season but Jon Russell could return for Barnsley this week.

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

A big game against eventual champions saw Bolton behind early. Abu Kamara opened the scoring for Portsmouth in the seventh minute but Aaron Collins equalised for Bolton before halftime. Despite Bolton having five more shots on target than Pompey, they failed to find the back of the net again and had to settle for the 1 - 1 draw.

It was another draw for Bolton, this time against Shrewsbury. Daniel Udoh gave The Shrews the lead just after the 20 minute mark but Cameron Jerome equalised just before halftime. However, before the whistle, Jordan Shipley regained the lead for Shrewsbury. In the second half Paris Maghoma popped up with a goal to rescue a 2 - 2 draw for Bolton.

Bolton finally picked up a win against Port Vale. The Wanderers registered 27 shots with seven of them on target with 72% of the possession but it took until the last 20 minutes for Collins and Jerome to find the back of the net to give Bolton the 2 - 0 win.

The last game of the normal season saw Bolton take on Peterborough. A goal from Kyle Dempsey and a penalty from Dion Charles gave Bolton the 2 - 0 lead before the ten minute mark. The second half saw a brace from Malik Mothersille and a goal from Joel Randall gave Peterborough the 3 - 2 lead but a late goal from Jerome grabbed a 3 - 3 draw for Bolton.

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

Sam Smith opened the scoring for Reading just after the 20 minute mark but Adam Phillips equalised for Barnsley before halftime. Lewis Wing regained the lead for Reading in the 81st minute but a goal from Fabio Jalo just two minutes later rescued a 2 - 2 draw for Barnsley.
Cole gave Barnsley the lead against Portsmouth in just the sixth minute but Kusini Yengi made it level before the ten minute mark. John McAtee regained the lead for Barnsley on the hour mark but a late penalty from Colby Bishop and an even later goal from Conor Shaughnessy gave Portsmouth the 3 - 2 win and the league title.

It was another 3 - 2 loss for Barnsley the next time out, this time against Blackpool. Sonny Carey, James Husband and Hayden Coulson all scored to give Blackpool the 3 - 0 lead early in the second half. McAtee and Phillips did find the back of the net but it wasn’t enough as Blackpool held on for the 3 - 2 win.

The last weekend of the normal season saw Barnsley host Northampton Town. Herbie Kane gave Barnsley the lead in the 18th minute but a goal from Louis George Appéré in the 96th minute gave Northampton the 1 - 1 draw.

The first leg of the Play-off Semi Finals saw a brace from Charles give Bolton the 2 - 0 lead early in the second half. Sam Cosgrove got Barnsley on the scoresheet but an extra time goal from Randell Williams gave Bolton the 3 - 1 win.

Despite the rough ride in the first leg, Barnsley are likely to pick up at least a draw this weekend. Both teams are likely to be on the scoresheet but Bolton are still on track for a trip to Wembley. Bolton Wanderers 2 - 2 Barnsley

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

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