Between their League Cup clash in August 2021 and the upcoming match at Toughsheet Stadium next Tuesday, these two teams will have faced each other 10 times across various competitions.

Ian Evatt has acknowledged that there will be no surprises, and apart from Bolton’s 3-0 victory at Oakwell last January, the matches between them have been closely contested. By analyzing the two drawn games this season, we can anticipate another intense night of playoff action and explore the potential matchups that may unfold.

Josh Sheehan versus Luca Connell

This season has been exceptional for Sheehan, rightfully earning him the title of Bolton’s player of the year due to his significant impact in midfield throughout the entire campaign. However, he has yet to showcase his absolute best performance against a key promotion contender.

His performance at Oakwell was a tale of two halves. In the first 45 minutes, he was effectively neutralized and subjected to rough treatment, barely getting involved in the attacking third with just one touch in open play. The second half saw a different Sheehan, more engaged and instrumental in driving Bolton’s tempo to mount a comeback. Let’s overlook the late penalty incident, as Randell Williams saved the day and spared Sheehan any embarrassment.

The academy graduate from Wanderers, Connell, may not directly face off against Sheehan, but if given the freedom to disrupt and dictate play as he prefers, it could pose challenges. In a February match, Sheehan encountered one of his toughest home games of the season, where Bolton had to adjust their style slightly and struggled with the physicality until the latter stages.

This game was one of just three home fixtures this season where Sheehan played for over an hour without creating a scoring opportunity, the others being a 4-0 loss to Wigan and a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth. Connell aims to unsettle the opposition and shape the game to his advantage, particularly to generate set-piece opportunities that have led to 198 shots on goal this season, a figure surpassed only by Cheltenham and Stevenage in League One.

Ricardo Santos vs Devante Cole

The upcoming playoff semi-final matchup between Bolton and Barnsley will feature an intriguing battle between Bolton captain Ricardo Santos and Barnsley striker Devante Cole.

Santos was absent for the 1-1 draw between the two teams earlier this season, with Caleb Taylor deputizing in his place. [2][3] However, Santos is expected to be back in the lineup for the crucial playoff clash.

The physical battle between the imposing Santos and the lively Cole will be a key factor in determining the outcome. Santos will need to use his strength and aerial ability to nullify the threat posed by the Barnsley forward. [1][4]

Cole will look to use his pace and movement to try and get the better of Santos, and will also look to win set-pieces that could create scoring opportunities for Barnsley. [5] The outcome of this individual duel could go a long way towards deciding which team advances to the playoff final.

Santos, a Bolton player known for consistently stepping up in crucial matches, is aware that he will often be tasked with defending in situations where there is ample space behind him. It is hoped that he still has some energy reserves to rely on when needed.

George Thomason and Adam Phillips are two midfielders who will be key players in the upcoming playoff match between Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley.

Thomason’s absence in the previous home game was felt in the Bolton midfield, with Phillips playing a significant role on the right side of Barnsley’s central midfield trio.

Phillips, a midfielder from Liverpool, has been a standout performer for Barnsley this season, especially against stronger opponents. He leads the squad in assists and is known for his willingness to take shots from various positions on the field.

Thomason has become a vital presence in Bolton’s midfield, excelling in disrupting play and covering ground effectively. While his recent form has been inconsistent, he aims to improve his ball retention compared to his performance against Peterborough.

Although Thomason had a shaky start in the game at Oakwell, making a mistake that led to an early goal, his resilience and determination, combined with the skill of Sheehan and Collins, helped Bolton fight back and stay competitive in the match.

Based on the search results, the key matchup to watch in the upcoming playoff semi-final between Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley is between Bolton striker Dion Charles and Barnsley defender Josh Earl.

Dion Charles, Bolton’s top scorer, is looking to make up for a disappointing performance in the 2-2 draw at Oakwell earlier this season. Despite not playing in that match, Charles may feel a sense of unfinished business after struggling to make an impact during the draw in February.

The match saw Aaron Collins steal the spotlight with an assist on debut for Zac Ashworth, and Collins also came close to scoring a winner late on, highlighting the struggles of Bolton’s starting front two. Charles and Adeboyejo were limited to just seven touches in the penalty box, with Charles restricted to a few early shots and struggling to threaten the Barnsley goal.

Charles’ form had been under scrutiny, and Barnsley defender Josh Earl, a former Bolton loanee, did an effective job of keeping Charles quiet by restricting his opportunities to threaten the Barnsley goal. However, Charles’ injury issues soon followed, and it wasn’t until the match against Peterborough on Saturday that he was able to regain his form and show his usual waspy, high-pressing threat.

Dion Charles has a history of performing well against Barnsley, having scored in the first leg of last year’s playoff semi-final as well as in Bolton’s 3-0 win at Oakwell earlier this year. This suggests that Barnsley do not hold any obvious fears for the Bolton striker.

However, the matchup between Charles and Barnsley defender Josh Earl could be an intriguing one. Over the course of the two meetings between the teams this season, Earl has seen more of the ball than any of his Barnsley teammates. This indicates that he has been effective in disrupting Bolton’s attacks and keeping Charles in check.

Charles, on the other hand, is known for his ability to pick defenders’ pockets and make a living out of such actions. The battle between the aggressive, high-pressing Charles and the composed, ball-playing Earl could be a key factor in determining the outcome of the playoff semi-final.

Both players will be eager to come out on top in this individual duel, with Charles looking to continue his strong record against Barnsley and Earl aiming to once again limit the Bolton striker’s influence on the game.

The matchup between Aaron Collins and Mael De Guégan will be a crucial one in the upcoming playoff semi-final between Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley.

Collins had a significant impact in the initial match, delivering a precise pass for Ashworth’s equalizer and coming close to securing victory with a powerful long-range shot. However, it was in the subsequent game where the former Bristol Rovers player truly shone. If he can replicate the clever plays and deft touches he exhibited in the second half at Oakwell, Bolton could have a promising opportunity.

French midfielder De Gevigney played a crucial role in the first encounter, showcasing excellent defensive skills in the penalty area. Nonetheless, his passing accuracy has been subpar against Bolton this season, with success rates of 50% and 51.7% in their matchups, indicating vulnerability under pressure when in possession.

In the second game, De Gevigney contributed to McAtee’s goal by intercepting Thomason’s intended pass. However, he also lost track of Adeboyejo, leading to Bolton’s first goal in the second half.