Five of the key play-off semi-final battles to keep your eye on this Friday

Wanderers and Barnsley Set for 50th Competitive Clash in Playoff Semi-Final First Leg

The upcoming Friday’s playoff semi-final first leg will mark the 50th competitive meeting between Wanderers and Barnsley – two teams that have faced off against each other frequently in recent seasons.

These two sides have developed a strong familiarity with one another through their numerous encounters over the past few years. This Friday’s match will be a significant milestone, as the two teams meet for the 50th time in a competitive fixture.

The playoff semi-final first leg promises to be a highly anticipated clash between these two well-acquainted opponents, who have built up a considerable history of matches against each other. The long-standing rivalry and frequent meetings have allowed Wanderers and Barnsley to become well-versed in each other’s playing styles and tendencies.

As these two teams prepare to face off once again in this crucial playoff semi-final first leg, the significance of their 50th competitive encounter will undoubtedly add an extra layer of intrigue and intensity to the proceedings.

Frequent Meetings Between Wanderers and Barnsley Over the Past Three Years

In the 1,001 days between their League Cup clash in August 2021 and the final whistle of their upcoming playoff semi-final second leg next Tuesday, Wanderers and Barnsley will have faced off on 10 different occasions across all competitions.

This extensive history of recent meetings means there will be “no secrets” between the two sides, as noted by Wanderers manager Ian Evatt. Despite Bolton’s 3-0 victory at Barnsley’s Oakwell stadium back in January, the teams have generally been very evenly matched whenever they have taken the field against each other.

The sheer number of times these two clubs have squared off in the past three years has allowed them to develop a deep familiarity with one another’s playing styles and tendencies. This intimate knowledge of their opponent will undoubtedly be a key factor as they prepare for their crucial playoff semi-final clash.

With such a long and closely contested history between Wanderers and Barnsley, the upcoming two-legged tie promises to be a tightly contested affair, with neither side likely to hold any significant advantages over the other based on their previous encounters.

Analyzing Potential Match-ups Based on Previous Drawn Games this Season in Anticipation of More Playoff Drama

We opted to examine various potential match-ups by considering the outcomes of the two drawn games from this season, offering insights into what we could anticipate on another intense night of playoff action.

Josh Sheehan vs. 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. Despite his impressive performances, he has yet to showcase his top form against a key promotion contender.

Contrasting Performances at Oakwell

His performance at Oakwell displayed a stark contrast between the two halves. In the initial 45 minutes, he was effectively kept away from any threatening situations and was constantly under pressure, with minimal involvement in the final third during open play, touching the ball just once. However, in the second half, he significantly increased his participation, helping Bolton play with a higher tempo that allowed them to make a comeback in the game. It’s worth noting that his performance was saved from scrutiny by Randell Williams, who spared him embarrassment with a late penalty.

Luca Connell’s Potential Impact on Josh Sheehan

While Connell may not directly face Sheehan, his ability to influence the game and disrupt Bolton’s flow could cause problems. In February, Sheehan struggled in a home game where Bolton was forced to adopt a more direct approach, leading to difficulties with the physicality of the match until the latter stages.

This game was one of only three home matches this season where Sheehan played for more than an hour without creating a goalscoring opportunity, the others being a 4-0 loss to Wigan and a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

Connell will aim to make the game more conducive to his style, particularly if it leads to set pieces that have been a key factor in Bolton’s season, generating 198 shots on goal – a total only surpassed by Cheltenham and Stevenage in League One.

Ricardo Santos vs. Devante Cole

During the 1-1 draw at the Toughsheet, Bolton’s captain, Ricardo Santos, was absent, leading to Caleb Taylor stepping in as his replacement. In Santos’ absence, a critical flick from a long throw was missed within six minutes, allowing Cole to exploit the gap between Kyle Dempsey and Paris Maghoma to score the opening goal.Cole displayed exceptional aerial prowess in that match, surpassing his performance in any other game this season. However, with Santos now fit and ready to play, Barnsley are unlikely to find the same success in the air as before.In the subsequent game, Cole had minimal impact, managing just 12 touches over 90 minutes, with only one in the penalty area resulting in a shot on goal. This serves as a reminder that his goal-scoring abilities require little opportunity to make an impact, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus.Barnsley typically pair Cole with John McAtee, both known for their movement across the front line, necessitating a cohesive defensive effort from the entire back three. Additionally, they have the option of a more direct approach, potentially involving Sam Cosgrove.Santos is known for stepping up in significant matches, and with the awareness that he may be left defending with space behind him, there is anticipation for him to deliver another strong performance, showcasing his defensive capabilities and agility.

George Thomason vs. Adam Phillips

Thomason was suspended for the home game, and his energetic presence in midfield was noticeably missed, allowing Phillips to be particularly influential on the right side of Barnsley’s central midfield trio.Phillips has often been a key player for Barnsley, especially against stronger opposition this season. He boasts the most assists in the squad and is not afraid to shoot from various positions when he is in the mood.Thomason’s influence in the Bolton midfield has significantly improved this season, and few in Evatt’s squad are better at disrupting play and covering the ground between the two boxes. However, his recent form has been inconsistent, and he will aim to be more reliable in possession than his performance against Peterborough on Saturday.The game at Oakwell did not start well for Thomason, as a mistake led to the opening goal. However, his character shone through, and alongside the finesse provided by Sheehan and Collins, Wanderers were able to fight their way back into the contest.

Dion Charles vs. Josh Earl

Dion Charles, Bolton’s top scorer, did not participate in the 2-2 draw at Oakwell, but he may feel a sense of unfinished business after experiencing a frustrating time during the draw in February.Aaron Collins had stolen the spotlight with an assist on debut for Zac Ashworth and had also come close to scoring a winner late on, which highlighted the struggles of the starting front two. Charles and Adeboyejo touched the ball only seven times in the penalty box, with Charles limited to a few reactive shots early on. Both players’ form had been under scrutiny, and former Whites loanee Earl did a commendable job of keeping Evatt’s top scorer from threatening the Barnsley goal.Injury struck soon after that, and it wasn’t until Saturday at Peterborough that we saw Charles back among the goals and looking more like the waspy, high-pressing threat that we know him to be.He scored in the first leg of last year’s play-off semi-final – an extraordinarily nervous affair – and also in the 3-0 win at Oakwell at the start of 2023, so Barnsley don’t hold any obvious fears. However, the match-up between Earl, who has seen more of the ball than any of his colleagues over the course of the two meetings with Bolton, and Charles, who makes a living out of picking defenders’ pockets, could be an interesting one indeed.