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

Barnsley play host to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their 100% record in League One.

While the Tykes sit in second place in the table, the visitors to Oakwell are down in 15th position despite prevailing in their second league fixture of the campaign.

Match preview

With Conor Hourihane having overseen a poor end to 2024-25, the pressure was on the 34-year-old to turn things around at Barnsley in time for the start of this season.

So far, the former Republic of Ireland international has delivered, Barnsley initially starting the campaign with a 3-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle.

That was backed up by a 3-2 success at home to Burton Albion, the Tykes incredibly overturn a two-goal half-time deficit to net their winner in the 93rd minute.

Barnsley were twice pegged back by Fleetwood Town in their midweek EFL Cup tie, but a penalty-shootout triumph has booked their place in the second round.

While positives will be taken from eight goals being scored in three matches, Barnsley have now not kept a clean sheet in 17 matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Steven Schumacher will likely be satisfied with Bolton having earned three points from their opening two League One fixtures.

Facing Stockport County and Plymouth Argyle was, on paper, arguably the toughest start for any team at this level, and responding to a 2-0 defeat to Stockport with a 2-0 win over Plymouth was an acceptable return.

Schumacher will also see the positives in Bolton defying a 27th-minute red card to hold Sheffield Wednesday to a 3-3 draw in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night before losing on penalties.

However, given the Owls' current predicament and fielding a team mostly consisting of players 21 years of age and under, Schumacher will be aware that there is work ahead to keep his side on an upward trajectory ahead of another difficult opening-month fixture.

Barnsley League One form:

W W

Barnsley form (all competitions):

W W D

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

L W

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

L W D

Team News

Hourihane may be prepared to stick with the Barnsley XI that started last weekend's dramatic victory over Burton.

However, Jon Russell and Reyes Cleary are both pushing for opportunities in midfield and attack respectively.

Jack Shepherd has served his one-match ban for his dismissal against Plymouth and is an option to return in defence.

While Sam Inwood was sent off against Sheffield Wednesday, the 19-year-old Bolton defender would not have started this contest.

Barring any fitness issues, Schumacher could revert to the team that impressively overcome Plymouth last weekend, Mason Burstow leading the attack after netting his first goal for the Trotters.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Cooper; Bland, Gevigney, Earl, Ogbeta; Connell, Yoganathan; Vickers, Phillips, Keillor-Dunn; McGoldrick

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Sharman-Lowe; Osei-Tutu, Toal, Johnston, Conway; Sheehan, Simons; Cozier-Duberry, Randall, Gale; Burstow

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Although Bolton have had a tough start to the campaign, losing to a young Sheffield Wednesday outfit on Wednesday will not fill the squad with confidence. With that in mind, we are backing Barnsley to make it three wins out of three in the third tier.

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