'A complete shambles' – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley prediction: The72

07/05/2024 10:08

Bolton Wanderers host Barnsley in the second leg of the League Two play-off semi-finals with the visitors looking to come back from a 3-1 deficit.

Bolton Wanderers are in the driving seat after the first leg at Oakwell, winning 3-1 on the road against a poor Barnsley.

Dion Charles sent Ian Evatt’s side into the break 2-0 up and he doubled the Trotters’ lead from the spot shortly after the restart. A 75th-minute goal from Sam Cosgrove brought the Tykes back into it, but a late goal from Randell Williams restored the visitors’ two-goal lead.

After the play-off heartbreak at the hands of the same opponents last season, Bolton are in a good position to exact their revenge and book a spot in the final.

Barnsley meanwhile have all the work to do with a two-goal deficit to come back from on the road.

It’s been a dismal end to the season for the Tykes with their poor form ultimately costing Neill Collins his job and almost seeing them drop out the top six completely. Martin Devaney will remain at the helm for this one.

The timing of Collins’ sacking and failed move to appoint Dominik Thalhammer has made this end to the season one to forget for the Oakwell faithful.

Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…

James Ray

“Bolton Wanderers should be booking their place in the play-off final tonight. They have the lead coming into the tie on home turf and honestly, I’d be surprised if they didn’t win here as well.

“For Barnsley, the end to the season has been a complete shambles. You can’t help but feel for the fans and the players somewhat, with Collins’ late exit and the failure to bring in a new boss doing them no favours in the bid to prepare for such a huge pair of fixtures.

“As a result, I think their season ends with a whimper.

“I’ll go for a pretty routine 2-0 win for Bolton Wanderers, securing their spot in the play-off final against either Peterborough United or Oxford United.”

Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley prediction: 2-0

Harry Mail

“Bolton Wanderers are well in the driving seat in this one and were deserved 3-1 winners in the first leg at Oakwell.

“They will be disappointed that they let Barnsley score in that one as it turned out to be a relatively comfortable evening for Ian Evatt’s side.

“They just need to keep their composure in front of their own fans and aim to keep the Tykes at bay. It could get nervy if the visitors are able to get a goal back early on.

“Barnsley need to go for it which could open up spaces for Bolton Wanderers to counter attack and add to their lead. I can see there being goals in this one, with the hosts getting through to Wembley in the end.”

Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley prediction: 3-1

The post ‘A complete shambles’ – Bolton Wanderers vs Barnsley prediction: The72 appeared first on The72 - Football League News.