THE forthcoming EFL League One Play-Off Final promises to be a truly passionate occasion stimulating frenzied football betting.
More than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the Wembley Stadium showpiece. Excitement has peaked ever since both sides produced notable performances to win their respective Semi-Finals.
Correct Score - 2:1
And consequently the giant prize of Championship membership for 2024/25 is up for grabs. Here is my extensive preview to assist your analysis of League 1 odds…
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United
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Saturday 18th May 2024, Kick-off 4.15pm at Wembley Stadium
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Score Prediction: Wanderers’ Wembley wizards 2-1
Bolton Wanderers Play-Off Semi-Final Review
First Leg: Barnsley 1 Bolton Wanderers 3
Dion Charles struck twice to amass 20 goals for the season as Bolton Wanderers secured a 3-1 victory at Barnsley. Northern Ireland international Charles found the roof of the net at close range on 23 minutes prior to adding his second half an hour later courtesy of a low penalty.
Sam Cosgrove crisply pulled one back for Barnsley with 15 minutes remaining but Randell Williams dramatically curled the Trotters’ third via a viciously dipping right flank corner four minutes into stoppage time. The attendance was 13,846.
Second Leg: Bolton Wanderers 2 Barnsley 3
Bolton Wanderers booked their Wembley Stadium berth despite losing this pulsating Second Leg. Barnsley drew first blood on the night when Sam Cosgrove nodded home a yard out on 35 minutes.
Wanderers rallied approaching half-time through Aaron Collins powerfully converting from 25 yards (43 minutes) and Eoin Toal’s cushioned header (45+1 mins) for a seemingly unassailable 5-2 advantage.
Back came Barnsley though - Adam Phillips (64 mins) mustering a deflected effort and Cosgrove diving full length to head in again (76 mins). The Tykes relentlessly pushed forward seeking an aggregate equaliser after that but didn’t manage it. Attendance 24,518.
Quotes
Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt said: “Those last 15 minutes against Barnsley were crazy and very unenjoyable. Nevertheless we deserved to win across the two legs.
“I didn’t let my lads over-celebrate afterwards. We’ve got one more game to go and a big job to do in the Final before we can even start to think about celebrating.
“Overall, I am so proud of where we’ve come from. Bolton Wanderers went into administration in 2019 and loyal supporters almost lost their club which would have been an absolute tragedy. We subsequently rebuilt everything spending a lot of hours working hard to get the team to our position today.
“Even so, there is no time for pats on the back. We are laser focused for the final match of 2023/24 at Wembley.”
Bolton Wanderers Fact File
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Final position in League One: 3rd
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Leading scorer: Dion Charles – 20 League, Cup and Play-Off goals.
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Last appearance in the Championship: 2018/19
Oxford United Play-Off Semi-Final Review
First Leg: Oxford United 1 Peterborough United 0
Oxford United edged it 1-0 versus Peterborough United (attendance 11,125).
U’s captain Elliot Moore rose high above his marker to bulldoze the decisive goal on 53 minutes following a left wing corner routine.
Second Leg: Peterborough United 1 Oxford United 1
Peterborough United levelled on aggregate in the 41st minute once Josh Knight’s tight angled volley finished off their set-play delivery.
Then three minutes into first half stoppage time, Cameron Brannagan tucked away Oxford United’s penalty equaliser right footed because Harrison Burrows had handled a driven free-kick in the box.
Intense pressure ensued throughout the second half from Posh embracing numerous goalmouth scrambles although Oxford United defended stoutly to complete the task. Attendance 12,420.
Quotes
Oxford United boss Des Buckingham said: “For us to reach Wembley is a special moment. I am delighted for everyone at Oxford United and so proud of my playing group.
“We knew Peterborough United would throw a lot at us in the Second Leg. Therefore we needed to stand up and show great desire to defend our lead by weathering the storm.
“The togetherness on and off the pitch with the fans was massive during the past two or three months. We will now do everything we can to put ourselves in a position to win at Wembley providing a really happy ending to the campaign for all concerned.”
Oxford United Fact File
Final position in League One: 5th
Leading scorer: Mark Harris – 19 League and Cup goals.
Last appearance in the Championship: 1998/99 (then called Division One).
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
