Barnsley v Bolton preview, odds and betting tips

The League One play off semi finals get underway this weekend, with Barnsley hosting Bolton at Oakwell in the opening first leg tie on Friday night.

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Barnsley v Bolton odds

Find the latest match odds for Friday night's League One play off semi final first leg. Odds are subject to change.

Barnsley - 21/20
Draw - 12/5
Bolton - 23/20

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Barnsley v Bolton preview

Barnsley head into their home first leg of the play-off semi final with Bolton in a bit of a rut form, finishing the regular season sixth in the table despite having occupied a top five place since mid-February right up until the start of the final game of the season.

Neill Collins was sacked as the manager of the Yorkshire side with just one game of the season remaining after picking up only one point from their his final five games in charge, which has given them a tougher semi final tie against a Bolton side who finished third.

Assistant manager Martin Devaney will be in caretaker charge of their play-off campaign, having taken charge of their 1-1 draw with Northampton on the final day of the season.

The Tykes have been a bit of a yoyo club between the second and third tiers over the past ten years, with two promotions and three relegations in that period, and are looking to get back into the Championship after two years in League One.

This fixture is a repeat of last season's play-off semi final, which Barnsley won 2-1 on aggregate before losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the final.

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Bolton head into the play-off picture unbeaten in their last seven matches, though winning only three of them, which was enough to guarantee them a third placed finish, five points shy of the automatic promotion places but three points clear of fourth placed Peterborough.

Ian Evatt's side ended the season with three draws from their final four matches, but head into the post-season schedule as the favourites to earn promotion back to the Championship for the first time since the first of their back-to-back relegations in 2019.

The Trotters have lost just one of their last six away games ahead of Friday's first leg, compared to Barnsley's run of no wins in their last six at home, which will stand Bolton in good stead for their trip across the Peak District.

Three of the last four meetings between the two sides ended in draws, including both of their league meetings this season, though Barnsley have won only one of their last nine home meetings against Bolton.

📝 Barnsley v Bolton betting tips

Devante Cole and Dion Charles each finished as either team's top goal scorer in all competitions with 18 goals to their name, and Sky Bet are offering odd of 13/2 for both to score on Friday night.

📺 How to watch Barnsley v Bolton

• Location: Oakwell, Barnsley
• Date and time: Friday 3rd May 2024, 7:30pm
• How to watch: Sky Sports Football

All odds correct at the time of writing.

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