Prediction: Bolton vs Barnsley

Verdict: Bolton win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their spot in the final of this season’s League One play-off final, Bolton will welcome Barnsley to town on Tuesday night.

Bolton

Starting with the hosts, while Bolton might have eventually fallen short in their bid to punch an automatic Championship return this season, the Trotters have continued on a real purple patch. Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their ticket to Wembley as they stormed to a 3-1 romp away in Yorkshire over the weekend, Ian Evatt’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. In fact, the former Bury boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 27th. Opening April with a thumping 5-2 victory against Reading, Bolton have also found a major clinical edge in the final third. Notching 20 goals in just their last seven showdowns at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Evatt’s side will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement here.

Team News

Dealing with respective injury issues, Bolton are once again expected to be without the duo of Carlos Mendes Gomes and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in midweek. Although former Barnsley striker Victor Adeboyejo might have returned to Bolton’s squad over the weekend, the 26-year-old will settle for another spot on the bench here.

Bagging a stellar first-leg brace in Yorkshire last week and recording 16 League One strikes this season, attacking talisman Dion Charles will spearhead Evatt’s charge on Tuesday night. Wales international Josh Sheehan will once again anchor the young duo of George Thomason and Paris Maghoma at the heart of Bolton’s midfield.

Barnsley

As for the visitors, while Barnsley might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line as they snatched a play-off spot, the Tykes find themselves at the heart of a real crisis. Failing to pick up what would have been a crucial first-leg victory on home soil over the weekend as they eventually slumped to that 3-1 loss, the Yorkshire-based outfit have continue to show a string of recent issues. Including consecutive 3-2 defeats against Blackpool and Barnsley last mont, interim boss Martin Devaney is seeking a real miracle here. Signing off their regular-season adventure by mustering just a pair of points from any of their final six League One appearances, Barnsley have also gained a reputation for their defensive struggles. Along with opening April with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Charlton, Tuesday’s guests have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their last 20 straight matchups across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to January 23rd.

Team News

All missing out in first-leg action last week, the trio of Robbie Cundy, Donovan Pines and Josh Benson are not expected to feature on Tuesday night. However, returning from a recent muscle injury last month, one-time Bolton schoolboy Luca Connell will keep his spot at the heart of Barnsley’s midfield and be joined by former Liverpool academy graduate Adam Phillips.

While the duo of Devante Cole and John McAtee might have drawn respective blanks last week, they have notched 30 goals between them this season and will spearhead Barnsley’s attack here. Attracting plenty of European interest ahead of the summer transfer window, 18-year-old Fabio Jalo will be hoping to play some part here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Bolton and Barnsley met for their first-leg showdown in Yorkshire last week, the Trotters claimed a thumping 3-1 victory on the road.
• Tuesday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
• Bolton have scored 20 goals in just their last seven showdowns at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
• Barnsley have failed to collect a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Tykes have conceded at least a pair of goals in six of those seven consecutive outings.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a stunning 3-1 romp when they travelled to Barnsley over the weekend, Bolton are sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their Wembley ticket here. Suffering just a single defeat against League One opposition since the end of February, the Trotters will certainly be looking to make another statement on Tuesday night. With Barnsley in the midst of what has become an extended crisis and failing to muster a sole win from any of their previous seven appearances, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable home victory at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Verdict: Bolton win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet