Preview: Barnsley vs. Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

While Bolton dominated the ball in the first leg, Barnsley created a raft of goalscoring opportunities, but the tie remains firmly in the balance ahead of Friday's pivotal decider.

Match preview

Having racked up a whopping 19 shots in the first leg - limiting the hosts to a solitary attempt on target - Barnsley can count themselves unfortunate to have left the University of Bolton Stadium without more to show for their efforts.

Following a goalless opening 45 minutes, Nicky Cadden gave put the Tykes ahead midway through the second half, but Dion Charles equalised four minutes later to set up a winner-takes-all showdown at Oakwell.

Barnsley head into Friday's clash on a four-game winless run after taking one point from their final three regular-season matches, dishing up a crazy 4-4 draw with MK Dons while suffering home defeats to Ipswich Town and Peterborough United.

Michael Duff's men have also managed to win just one of their previous six games, although they can take confidence from their strong record on home soil this season, having won 16 of their 23 league encounters at Oakwell.

Not only have Barnsley won nine of their last 11 home league games, but they have also won 13 of their previous 16, so the South Yorkshire outfit will be hopeful of booking their place in the playoff final at Wembley.

Despite enjoying 62% possession in the first leg, Bolton Wanderers failed to make the most of their dominance, but Ian Evatt's side will be pleased with the result after facing a barrage of attacks from Barnsley.

In fact, it is not overly surprising that Bolton managed to fend off the Tykes on multiple occasions last time out, as Evatt's men boast the second-best defensive record in League One this season, having conceded just 37 goals in 47 matches.

It is also worth noting that Bolton enter the second leg in far better form than Barnsley, having lost only one of their previous 10 games, with five victories and four clean sheets coming in their final nine regular-season outings.

On top of that, the Wanderers are currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten run on the road, winning three of their last four away encounters to fill the club's supporters with optimism ahead of the trip to South Yorkshire.

Having found the back of the net in 13 of their previous 15 away games - scoring three goals in a memorable victory at Oakwell back in January - Bolton are more than capable of triumphing on their travels.

Barnsley League One form:

D

W

L

D

L

D

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

D

W

L

W

W

D

Team News

Barnsley captain Mads Andersen missed the final two games of the regular season but returned for the first leg against Bolton, so the Dane will continue alongside Liam Kitching and Bobby Thomas in the hosts' back three.

At the top end of the pitch, Manchester City loanee Slobodan Tedic will be joined in attack by top scorer Devante Cole, who has netted 16 goals across all competitions this term.

Having chalked up 10 goals and eight assists from midfield, Adam Phillips will join Luca Connell and Herbie Kane in the middle of the park, with Nicky Cadden and Jordan Williams occupying the wing-back roles.

On the flip side, Bolton will be without key defender Gethin Jones for the remainder of the campaign as he recovers from a hamstring injury, although centre-back Eoin Toal is back in action after recovering from an ankle issue.

Dion Charles notched his 21st goal of the season last time out, so the Wanderers' leading scorer will be hoping for more success alongside Elias Kachunga in attack.

Meanwhile, on-loan Man City goalkeeper James Trafford will go in search of a 27th clean sheet of the campaign, having achieved four shutouts across the final seven matches of the regular season.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Isted; Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Cadden; Tedic, Cole

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Toal, Santos, Johnston; Bradley, Sheehan, Morley, Williams; Dempsey; Kachunga, Charles

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Bolton Wanderers (Barnsley to win 3-2 on aggregate)

Friday's showdown is destined to be a close-fought battle, but we expect Barnsley to edge out Bolton in front of the Oakwell faithful, with the hosts punching their ticket to Wembley thanks to a narrow victory.

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