Score predictions - Bolton home - Play Offs

Fun fact, this is meeting 9 and 10 between Barnsley and Bolton, since the Wanderers fans sang "we'll never play you again" at Oakwell in 2018. Neither side has faced any other side more since then.


As if it was ever in doubt, the Reds have secured a play-off berth for the second consecutive season for the first time ever. And for the second consecutive season, we face Bolton in the Semi-final. This time, it's the Trotters who had a sustained tilt at the top 2, but ultimately came up short. Having finished 2 places higher than last season (and the Reds, 2 lower), they're the 13/8 favourites to return to the 2nd tier for the first time in 5 years. The reds are 9/2 outsiders to overcome our poor form coming into the play-offs and avenge our Wembley defeat from last season.


On the night, Bolton are 5/4 favourites to go back to the UniBol Arena with a lead, whereas the Reds are 11/5 outsiders to repeat the home win they garnered in the home leg of the play-offs last season. Our record at home in play off campaigns is played 5, won 2, drawn 0, lost 3, scored 5, conceded 4. Bolton's away record in the play-offs is worse. They've played 7, won 0, drawn 2, lost 5, scoring 10, conceding 17.


Bolton finished the season with the 5th best away record. They only won 1 of their last 8 away games of the season, which is a run including their 2-2 draw at Oakwell. They drew 3 of those games by at least a 2-2 score line, and suffered a very heavy defeat at Blackpool (albeit with 10 men) suggesting they can be got at defensively. They have struggled against sides in the top half on their travels; a 1-0 win over Lincoln and 4-2 over Wycombe are the only away wins they've secured over sides in the top half. In contrast, the Reds have only managed wins over 4 top half sides at home, and only Derby in the top 6. We only had the 12th best home record in the division.


Historically, our recent record against Bolton at home isn't great. Our last regular league victory over the Whites at Oakwell was our first ever Premier League home win, and came courtesy of Georgi Hristov and Eric Tinkler, with a Peter Beardsley equaliser in between. We actually beat Bolton twice at Oakwell that season, with Darren Barnard also a match winner in the FA Cup. Despite Liam Kitching's winner last season in the Play-Offs, we've actually gone 8 league games without a home win over the Trotters. Although prior to 2001, we'd won 9, drawn 6 and lost just 2 of the 17 meetings since 1899, in all competitions, including 4 consecutive wins between 1972 and 1988.


Both Deon Charles and Ricardo Santos should be available for Bolton on Friday. The former missed the home clash between the two sides, whereas the latter missed the earlier clash. They're arguably Bolton's best players. Charles has netted 14 times this season in 33 games, though he has missed a good chunk of the second part of the season. The Trotters patchy second half season form could be attributed to Charles' absence. Aaron Collins has hit form however since signing in January. 8 of his 11 league goals have come in the White of Bolton. He's currently on a run of 6 in 6 including a hattrick against Reading at the start of April.


Referee Will Finnie visits Oakwell for the second time this season, and his third Barnsley game overall. He oversaw our exit from the EFL Trophy at Bradford, dismissing Jack Shepherd on that occasion. He was in charge for the Reds 2-1 home win over Carlisle; a game notable for the poor performance from the home side, saved by a late penalty awarded in our favour. He's also taken charge of Bolton twice this season, both games at the UniBol. He oversaw their 3-0 win over Lincoln on the opening day of the season, and subsequently the Trotters 2-1 home win over Wycombe in February; on that occasion, both sides score in injury time, with the Chairboys goal being via the penalty spot.


I'm struggling for optimism ahead of the play-offs considering the poor form we've experienced. I think it's vital that we don't lose at home. If we're going to stand any chance of making it past Bolton, we can't trail by more than one going into the second leg at worst. I'm going to plump for an optimistic selection nonetheless, and go for 2-2 with Phillips getting a brace.

 

Barnsley 3-2 Bolton

Blind faith

 

3-0 Trotters. Finding it difficult to come up with anything other than a defeat. Lack of confidence, string of lacklustre performances, devoid of ideas and game plan and nobody who can turn the game if required. Think they’ll comfortably beat us over the 2 legs IMO.

 

Convinced we'll give ourselves some hope. Maybe 2-2 again. To be honest I'd be more optimistic going to their place 1-0 down than I would if we go there drawing. I think we need to come out in the second leg looking for a win rather than trying to hold onto something.

 

5 - 0, enjoy the game. not going can't be arsed,

 

"Bolton's away record in the play-offs is worse. They've played 7, won 0, drawn 2, lost 4"

What on earth happened in the 7th game?!?

 

Back to 2-1 win . Phillips and Macatee

 

0 -156

 

Liam Kitching happened.

 

Absolutely no chance of anything other than a loss, it’ll be a convincing 0-2 or 0-3. Absolutely no chance, at all, we are absolutely terrible. We ain’t got a chance.

 

Whatever, I'll be there. Let's say 1-1.

 

2-2

I’m more concerned about the away leg.

 

1-2

 

I cannot see anything other than a loss
As in previous comments don't think owt as changed management wise so same old same old

 

Difficult to know what to expect from us but I'm thinking 2-2

 

Self confessed happy clapper but I can see us losing by 2 goals at least & progressing no further.

 

1-1 for me. Think this one will be decided on penalties on Tuesday night

 

2-2. We’ll give it a good go Friday.

 

Bolton to win by at least 2 goals, but I’ll be there supporting the lads.