Predictions League One - Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley

League One - Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley
Match Time: 08-05-2024 03:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Bolton Wanderers

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

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.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Barnsley