Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers betting tips: League One play-off semi-final second leg preview, predictions and odds

By Ben Gray

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 5:51 am GMT+1

Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers odds and betting statistics

Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers recommended bets

Tip of the day

Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers

Barnsley to win 2-1 against Bolton- 8/1!

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At 8/1, a £10 bet would return £90!

Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers

May 19, 2023

8:00 pm GMT+1

Barnsley vs Bolton Wanderers match preview

Following Saturday’s first leg at the University of Bolton Stadium, it’s winner takes all in South Yorkshire.

The first leg six days ago was a nervous, tense affair, with the afternoon’s two goals coming just four minutes apart.

It was the away side who struck first, with Nicky Cadden firing home from outside the box, after a corner had not be cleared.

But, just 238 seconds later, Randell Williams’s cross was poked home by Dion Charles from close-range, sending the home fans crazy.

So, 1-1 it finished in Horwich and, with the away goals rule a thing of the past, this second leg is essentially a one-off cup tie.

Barnsley finished one place and five points above their visitors this season, as they target an immediate return to the Championship.

The Tykes’ last two play-off campaigns at this level have both resulted in promotion, achieving this in both 2006 and 2016.

Bolton though will take confidence from the fact they won 3-0 in Barnsley on 2 January; Charles, Jón Daði Böðvarsson and Kyle Dempsey the scorers that day.

The Trotters were most-recently in the Championship in 2019, actually suffering back-to-back relegation down to League Two back then.

Now, the Wanderers are targeting a second promotion in just three seasons, which would represent a remarkable turnaround.

Ian Evatt’s team are on the cusp of a second trip to Wembley this season, having smashed Plymouth Argyle 4-0 in last month’s Papa Johns Trophy Final.

Just one of the last six EFL Trophy winners have also gone on to achieve promotion, although this was Rotherham 12 months ago.

Before that, the last team to claim this double was Barnsley in 2016.

Who will be celebrating a place in the League One play-off final, where, after their remarkable comeback, Sheffield Wednesday await, following this huge clash at Oakwell?