A spot in the Championship next season is up for grabs at Wembley on Saturday, as Bolton take on Oxford in the League One playoff final.
Both successfully navigated their semi finals, despite a nervy ending, and after this, for the winner, it’s the second tier as the next stop.
Check out my Bolton v Oxford tips and predictions for this game below.
Bolton v Oxford Match Preview
Bolton take on Oxford in what I think will be a very tense, nervy and close game of football on Saturday.
The prize is a place in the Championship, and I think both sides will come here fancying their chances, it’s a game that I think will be closer than the betting suggests.
When you look at the two squads, I definitely think Bolton have the greater star power, and more match winners, so I’m not surprised they are favourites. I’d also say that Bolton have more potential to change the game from the bench too.
But Oxford are rock solid, a real unit, together as one, and as we saw when they played Peterborough, incredibly difficult to break down.
These games are often tight, and that’ll play into the hands of Oxford more so than Bolton.
Barnsley had Bolton on the ropes in the second leg, scoring three goals past them, and really getting at the Bolton backline.
Whereas while Oxford didn’t flash as much brilliance, and did have to withstand an onslaught from Peterborough in their game, they did that, and didn’t give away too many big chances.
Expect nerves with a big prize at stake, and if we go past the 90 minutes here, then don’t be surprised, we could be in for a long one.
Bolton Road to the Final
Bolton finished 3rd in the league, and that left them with a tie against Barnsley in the semi finals. They did the damage in the away leg, winning that 3-1 and taking a commanding lead back home to Bolton with them.
But they didn’t have it all their own way, losing at home 3-2, to narrowly qualify 5-4 on aggregate in the end.
They got the job done, but it could have been a lot more convincing with better game management.
What Bolton did very well was capitalise on mistakes made by Barnsley, and punished them for it, so they’ll be looking to do the same here on Saturday.
Oxford Road to the Final
Finishing 5th in the league, Oxford set up a semi final against Peterborough. Taking a 1-0 lead from the home game, they needed a draw or better away from home to make the final, and that game ended 1-1, sending Oxford through.
I think we saw both sides of what Oxford can do in that one, and we’ll need to see both sides at Wembley, if they want to make the Championship.
In the first game, when they were on top, Oxford looked good going forward, quick on the bread, and threatening with their chances.
Then away from home, a more reserved approach, centred around battling hard, and doing whatever was needed to get a draw.
Bolton v Oxford Tips
My first tip for the game is that it will end in a draw after 90 minutes, and this is available at 14/5 with Unibet.
Secondly, following on from that, I think the game will go all the way, so I’m going to go with Oxford to win the game on penalties, which is 10/1 with Paddy Power.
Lastly, a correct score bet for 90 minutes, and I do think both teams will get on the scoresheet here. A 1-1 draw, which is 6/1 with Betfred, is my final selection.
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