Barnsley vs Bolton Bet Builder Tip, Preview, Stats, Odds and Predictions

Watching both Coventry and Luton spring their own Championship play-off upsets in midweek, it will now be time for England’s third-tier to steal the limelight.

With Bolton and Barnsley forced to settle for a first-leg 1-1 stalemate in Greater Manchester last week, a trip to Wembley is still hanging firmly in the balance.

Two sides who opened the 2022/23 campaign with their sights set on booking a lucrative Championship return, we could be set for a nervy Friday night at Oakwell.

Ahead of Friday’s season-defining showdown in Yorkshire, we have taken a glance at all the key facts and some eye-catching betting markets that are available.

 

Barnsley vs Bolton Bet Builder Tip

• Dion Charles to score anytime
• Bolton to qualify for the final

ODDS – 9/2 with William Hill

 

Bolton’s continued success on the road

Although Bolton might have suffered play-off heartbreak last season, Ian Evatt’s side have only continued on another League One romp this time around.

Still dreaming of the chance to secure what would be a famous Championship return, a huge part of their success this year has come thanks to their extended performances on the road.

Shocking many as they were crowned EFL Trophy champions last month thanks to a stunning 4-0 victory against Plymouth, the ex-Barrow boss has seen his squad lose just one of their previous seven straight appearances away from the University of Bolton Stadium.

Likewise, mustering 10 points from their last final four League One contests on the road, Friday’s guests also ended the 2022/23 campaign with 34 away points – a tally that was only bettered by five third-tier clubs.

Bolton’s odds to qualify for the League One play-off final are 13/8 with bet365’s new customer offer and Evatt’s squad will be desperate to extend on their rampant run outside of Greater Manchester this weekend.

 

The Trotters hold a historic advantage

While Bolton might have been disappointed after settling for a first-leg stalemate on home soil last week, the Trotters should be excited by an eye-catching record against their play-off rivals.

Putting in a thumping display on January 2nd as they opened 2023 with a 3-0 romp at Oakwell while on League One duties, Evatt’s men have remarkably lost just one of their last 18 straight meetings against Barnsley.

With that stunning flurry stemming all the way back to 1997, Bolton will travel to Yorkshire confident of springing another upset.

On a similar note, including that eye-catching 3-0 victory back in January, it is also worth highlighting that Friday’s guests have collected a staggering 13 points from just their previous five trips to Oakwell.

Despite opening their second-leg showdown priced as high as 3/1 with bet365 to secure an outright victory here, Bolton certainly travel to Yorkshire with a major historic advantage.

 

Cole has a key role to play

Although Devante Cole might have drawn another blank at the University of Bolton Stadium last week, the 28-year-old will know that he has a crucial role to play on Friday night.

Despite failing to find the net in any of his last five straight appearances against League One opposition, the former Motherwell striker has been pivotal in Barnsley’s play-off charge.

However, despite enduring his longest goalscoring drought since February, Cole has certainly impressed with his continued displays at Oakwell.

Notching 15 League One goals this season – a tally that saw him claim Barnsley’s Golden Boot – Cole has also bagged seven goals in just his last nine appearances on home soil.

Opening Friday’s second-leg battle priced at 19/10 using 10Bet’s sign-up bonus to extend on his goalscoring flurry at Oakwell, Cole will have plenty of exceptions on his shoulders here.

 

Barnsley vs Bolton Betting Tip

Although Barnsley might open Friday’s second-leg tipped as a standout contender with the bookmakers to punch their League One play-off final ticket, Bolton will undoubtedly be smelling the chance to spring another Oakwell upset.

Claiming a thumping 3-0 victory when they travelled to Yorkshire for a third-tier showdown on January 3rd, it is the Trotters who also hold a rampant historic advantage.

Remarkably losing just one of their last 18 straight appearances against Barnsley – a run that stems all the way back to 1997 – Evatt’s squad have also gained a reputation for their success on the road.

Claiming this season’s EFL Trophy thanks to a famous 4-0 romp against Plymouth last month, Bolton will be confident of securing a return to the capital here.

Betting Tip: Bolton to qualify @ 13/8 with bet365.

 

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