Score predictions - Bolton home play offs

At present, we are odds on favourites with the bookies to get the job done within 90 minutes. Bolton can be backed at a shade under 3/1 to upset the applecart. Our record at home in play off campaigns is played 4, won 1, drawn 0, lost 3, scored 4, conceded 4. Bolton's away record in the play-offs is also poor. They've played 6, won 0, drawn 2, lost 4, scoring 10, conceding 16.

In the league this season, Bolton have been reasonably strong away from home. They finished the regular season with the 6th best away record, behind the 5 sides who finished in the top 6 in the division. They ended the season 6 unbeaten away from home (winning 3 and drawing 3), although over the course of the year, they did have some poor results away from the UniBol Arena. They lost away at Cheltenham and Forest Green, and dropped points at Cambridge, Morecambe and Burton. That being said, after their victory at Oakwell in January, they only lost 3 of their next 12 away games in all competitions, a run which included a 5-0 demolition of Peterborough, and a point at Hillsborough.

The 22/23 season has been the year for us to break our hoodoo away at Bolton. And whilst our record at Oakwell vs Bolton is better, it's been 25 years since we last tasted victory over the Trotters at Oakwell, courtesy of a Darren Barnard goal in the FA Cup, during our Premier League campaign. A season in which we were also last victorious over Bolton in the league, courtesy of a Georgi Hristov winner, after Peter Beardsley had cancelled out Eric Tinkler's early goal. We did in fact go on a 13 game unbeaten run at home vs Bolton between 1910 and 2000. Our home record over Bolton in all competitions reads, played 22, won 9, drawn 7, lost 6, however Bolton have been victorious on 4 of their last 5 visits to Oakwell.

Having seen how we visibly upped our game for the first leg, I'm confident that we can get up for this one in the same way we often did for the big games in the second half of the season. With Oakwell packed to the rafters, I can see this being like the Derby, Plymouth, Portsmouth or Wednesday performances. The two defeats in that time at home were to Bolton, in a game where we had 10 men for the majority, and the Ipswich game where we simply faced a better side. I don't think Bolton are the better side, and for me, an early goal for us wins the tie. I'm going for 2-1 with Cole and Phillips scoring in the first half. Que sera sera.

 

Tight game, 2-1 Reds

 

I can’t see it being a goal fest, think they’ll they’ll only be 1 goal in it. 2-1 us. Really hope there’s no controversy in it especially with ref.

 

3-0
Phillips, Connell, Cole.

 

1-1
3-2 extra time

 

4-0 win for the reds and a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough, for a bit of perfect symmetry

 

Nervy week never mind last 10 minutes!

 

Said from beginning 1-1 away 2-0 home.

sticking to my guns

 

0-3 Repeat of the league game

 

3-1 reds. Tap in from Cole and a screamer from Phillips. Norwood with a late nerve settler after they pull one back.

Followed by absolute pandemonium culminating in Disco landing a steel chair on Evatt, who is then put away by a Duff “people’s elbow” for the 1….. 2….. 3…..

BAH GAWD!!

 

Based on what exactly?! Don't get me wrong, it could happen. But it would probably involve a seriously sub-par performance, combined with an awful refereeing decision.

 

It's pens, innit! Nerves and a lack of knowing what to actually do with one will see us out.

 

1-0 Reds (Phillips)

 

3-1 Reds

 

I read where Bolton haven't lost away to any of the top six this season. Including that win at Oakwell. They're still very confident of turning us over on Friday... Obviously I hope we win but like the away leg it's too close to call. So wearing my neutral hat. I'd have to say whoever scores first takes it

 

Barnsley 1-176 Bolton Wanderers

 

I won't jinx us by making a daft prediction.

 

2-0