Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United Predictions, Tips and Odds: Who takes the League One Play-Off Final?
Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United face off at Wembley for a chance to return to the Championship. Bolton were relegated from the Championship five years ago, while Oxford last played in the second tier in 1999.
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United predictions
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Bookmaker odds |
| BTTS? | No | 1/1 with Midnite |
| Correct Score | Bolton 2-0 Oxford | 8/1 with SkyBet |
| First Goalscorer | Aaron Collins | 5/1 with Bet365 |
The stats behind our Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United predictions:
- Oxford haven’t scored in their previous three matches against Bolton Wanderers.
- Bolton have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight League One fixtures.
- Aaron Collins scored in five of Bolton Wanderers’ previous eight matches.
Can The Us overcome Wanderers to end a 25-year wait?
To say the 20th century has been tumultuous for Oxford would be an understatement. They were a second-tier club for 11 years until 1999. Since then, a decline occurred, with two relegations in three years to the fourth tier of English football. After finishing 19th in League One last season under Des Buckingham, Oxford bounced back emphatically to finish fifth in the 2023/24 regular campaign.
Oxford faced Peterborough in the play-off semi-finals, and took a 1-0 lead into the second leg. Posh struck first in the return fixture to draw the tie, but they weren’t level for long. Just a few minutes later Cameron Brannagan put Oxford ahead once again in the tie, and they would hold onto that advantage to run out 2-1 winners on aggregate. Oxford will now face Bolton, who secured their place in the League One play-off final despite losing 3-2 to Barnsley in their semi-final second leg. Oxford and Bolton played a goalless draw at the Toughsheet Stadium this season before Bolton beat Oxford 5-0 in March.
As mentioned, Bolton were made to sweat against Barnsley in the other half of the draw, having looked almost certain to book their spot following a 3-1 first-leg win at Oakwell; they eventually secured a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory. Ian Evatt’s side, who finished third in League One, can also make a long-awaited return to the second tier. When they last played in the Championship, Bolton were about to go into administration, and the club was under threat. Since then, Evatt has presided over an upturn in fortunes, leading Bolton to promotion from League Two in 2021 and winning the EFL Trophy two years later.
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United match tip
Over 2.5 goals @ 9/10 with Bet365
Bolton’s games have been fun for the neutral to watch of late. Four of their past five games have seen at least three goals scored, with the only exception being a 2-0 win for Bolton over Port Vale in their penultimate match of the season. Their two play-off semi-final matches brought nine goals.
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United odds
BOLTON VS OXFORD
Despite showing signs of weakness in their semi-final second-leg defeat to Barnsley, Bolton remain odds-on favourites to win this game — and even clearer to be promoted to the Championship. There were 10 points between these two sides in the league, with Bolton also enjoying a 5-0 win over Oxford just two months ago.
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United team news
Bolton Wanderers team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | George Johnston | – |
George Johnston remains the only absentee for Bolton, having not featured at all this season.
Top Scorer: Dion Charles (16)
Card Magnet: George Thomason (16)
Assist Ace: Josh Sheehan (12)
Oxford United team news |
||
| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | – | – |
Des Buckingham has a fully available squad to choose from.
Top Scorer: Mark Harris (15)
Card Magnet: Cameron Brannagan (9)
Assist Ace: Cameron Brannagan (10)
How to watch Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United Live
The final will take place on Saturday, May 18th, at 4:15 pm and broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Bolton Wanderers vs Oxford United head-to-head
- 12 March 2024 – Bolton Wanderers 5-0 Oxford United – League One
- 28 November 2023 – Oxford United 0-0 Bolton Wanderers – League One
- 15 April 2023 – Oxford United 0-1 Bolton Wanderers – League One
- 29 October 2022 – Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Oxford United – League One
- 12 February 2022 – Oxford United 2-3 Bolton Wanderers – League One
Bolton are unbeaten in their past three games against Oxford, winning two, including the 5-0 win in March. Oxford have only won one of their past eight meetings.
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