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Bolton logo
League One | 2nd Leg
May 7, 2024 at 8pm UK
University of Bolton Stadium
Barnsley

Bolton
2 - 3
Barnsley

Collins (43'), Toal (45+1')
Thomason (45+2')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Cosgrove (36', 76'), Phillips (64')
O'Keeffe (63'), Phillips (69'), Williams (90+1')

Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League One clash between Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bolton Wanderers will welcome Barnsley to the Toughsheet Community Stadium for Tuesday's second leg of the League One playoff semi-finals.

The Trotters will take a two-goal cushion into the home leg after claiming a 3-1 victory in Friday's clash at Oakwell.


Match preview

Bolton Wanderers' Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal celebrate at full time on May 3, 2024© Reuters

After losing to Barnsley in last season's playoff semi-finals, Bolton are on the brink of exacting revenge after establishing a crucial two-goal lead in the first leg.

Dion Charles scored on either side of half time to Bolton in the driving seat, before Sam Cosgrove came off the bench to pull a goal back for Barnsley.

However, Randell Williams reclaimed his side's two-goal cushion in sensational circumstances, scoring directly from a corner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The win helped Ian Evatt's side extend their overall unbeaten run to eight matches, and they will now return to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, where they have avoided defeat in each of their last 12 home games since losing to Bristol Rovers in December.

If they can avoid another loss on Tuesday, the Trotters will advance to Wembley to face Oxford United or Peterborough United, with the chance to return to the Championship for the first time in five years.

Barnsley players remonstrate as Bolton Wanderers' Dion Charles celebrates scoring their first goal on May 3, 2024© Reuters

Barnsley will have to mount an almighty turnaround if they are to book their place in the playoff final for the second straight season.

Despite being in the playoffs, the Tykes are currently experiencing a tumultuous period after Neill Collins was sacked earlier this month following a run of just two wins in 11 matches.

Unfortunately for Barnsley, interim boss Martin Devaney has been unable to spark an upturn in fortunes, drawing 1-1 with Northampton on the final day of the regular season, before suffering a defeat in Friday's first leg.

Barnsley's hopes of staging a second-leg fightback will be tempered by the fact that they have lost their last four away matches, conceding 10 goals during that disappointing spell of results.

The visitors will at least fancy their chances of troubling the scorers after finding the net in each of their previous 15 away league games, netting a minimum of two goals in 10 of those encounters.

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

Barnsley League One form:


Team News

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt at full time on May 3, 2024© Reuters

Bolton have reported no fresh injury corners, but remain without Carlos Mendes Gomes and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson due to Achilles and ankle injuries respectively.

After seeing his side prevail in the first leg, Evatt may opt for consistency and stick with the same lineup for Tuesday's home fixture.

Victor Adeboyejo will provide Evatt with a useful option off the bench after returning from a spell on the sidelines to feature as a late substitute at Oakwell.

Barnsley are still unable to call upon the American defender Donovan Pines, who was ruled out for the season after sustaining a thigh injury in March's league fixture against Bolton.

Robbie Cundy and Josh Benson have both returned to training following an extended spell on the sidelines, but the pair are unlikely to be involved due to their lack of game time.

Conor Grant and Cosgrove could be considered for starting berths after the two substitutes combined to score Barnsley's only goal in the first leg.


Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Jones, Santos, Toal; Dacres-Cogley, Maghoma, Sheehan, Thomason, Williams; Charles, Collins

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Williams, De Gevigney, Earl; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Grant, Cadden; McAtee, Cosgrove


SM words green background

We say: Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Barnsley

Barnsley will have to take risks to have any hope of mounting a comeback, but we think that could play into Bolton's hands, which is why we believe that the hosts will add to their two-goal cushion and book their place in the final.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Bolton vs Barnsley

Bolton Wanderers
81.6%
Draw
14.0%
Barnsley
4.4%
114
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth462813578413797
3Bolton WanderersBolton462512986513587
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough462591289612884
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4622111379562377
6Barnsley4621131282641876
7Lincoln CityLincoln4620141265402574
8Blackpool4621101565481773
9Stevenage4619141357461171
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe461714156055565
11Leyton Orient461811175355-265
12Wigan AthleticWigan462010166356762
13Exeter CityExeter461710194661-1561
14Northampton TownNorthampton46179205766-960
15Bristol Rovers46169215268-1657
16Charlton AthleticCharlton461120156465-153
17Reading461611196870-253
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge461212223961-2248
19Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury46139243567-3248
20Burton Albion461210243967-2846
RCheltenham TownCheltenham46128264165-2444
RFleetwood TownFleetwood461013234972-2343
RPort Vale461011254174-3341
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4679304181-4030


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