Bitesize Prediction: Barnsley vs Bolton – 03/05/24

Competition: League One

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 4/6 @ Pribet

With the League One play-offs getting underway on Friday night, Barnsley will welcome Bolton to Oakwell for their first-leg showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Barnsley might have eventually limped their way over the finish line as they secured another League One play-off ticket, the Tykes have struggled to find any kind of stability over the past couple of months. Last seen signing off their regular-season run with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Northampton, caretaker boss Martin Devaney’s men have failed to muster a single win from any of their previous six appearances on the bounce. Suffering back-to-back 3-2 defeats against Blackpool and Portsmouth last month, the Yorkshire-based outfit have also claimed just a single victory from any of their last nine outings. With that extended wobble stemming back to a 3-2 win against Carlisle on March 12th, Friday’s hosts have continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. In fact, Barnsley have recorded just a sole League One clean sheet from their previous 19 consecutive appearances. It should also be highlighted, the Tykes have seen all of their last seven showdowns against third-tier opposition finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

As for the visitors, while Bolton might have eventually been frustrated as they missed out on the chance to secure an automatic Championship return, the Trotters have lost just one of their previous 12 consecutive appearances. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to February 27th, Ian Evatt’s men are enjoying a real free-scoring flurry in the final third. Opening April with an action-packed 5-2 romp against Reading, the former Barrow boss has seen his squad bag 15 goals in just their last six showdowns against League One opposition. However, signing off their regular-season run with a remarkable 3-3 stalemate away at Peterborough, neutrals could be treated to a real play-off thriller here. Despite continuing to gain a reputation for their success on home soil, Bolton have struggled to find much stability away from the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Including a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Blackpool on February 24th, they have collected just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances on their travels.

Bet: Both teams to score at Barnsley vs Bolton 4/6 for Friday’s League One Play-Off Showdown @ Pribet