Barnsley visit Bolton

The Reds gained four points from their last two home games which has moved them six points clear of the bottom four. 

Although it is fair to say not beating lowly Northampton at home on Tuesday will be a little disappointing for Barnsley. 

David McGoldrick has five goals in his last four games and is now expected to the lead the line after the sale of top-scorer Davis-Keillor-Dunn to Wrexham on Deadline Day. 

Head Coach Conor Hourihane said: "Davo was a really fair deal and that's why he left to a really good club who have ambitions to move forward.

For everyone else, there was not too much opportunity and I am very happy with that because it makes our squad a lot stronger."

New signing Tom Bradshaw could feature against Bolton after he was not registered in time to play midweek. 

Hourihane said: "Tom has worked all week, no issues, he's chomping at the bit. He's had individual sessions because we had a game on Tuesday and he wasn't registered in time.

"I remember a chance the other night when a cross went across goal and I thought if Tom was there in there it might have been a goal. He can be that fox in the box and a focal point."

In terms of injury news, Hourihane said everyone came through Tuesday night's game fine.

Tactically, The Reds could operate a back four after Hourihane recently revealed he did not like how his team were playing in a back five. 

Barnsley will also look for just their third clean sheet of the campaign with no club having fewer in League One. 

As for opponents Bolton, they are unbeaten in their last five games, winning four. 

The Trotters have the third best home record in the division, losing just once which was at home to Mansfield on Boxing Day. 

Bolton also have the joint best defensive record in League One and have kept 10 clean sheets this season. 

They are coming into the game off the back of a 1-0 away win at Wimbledon last Saturday. 

Bolton like to control the ball, having averaged 59.9% possession this season only bettered by league leaders Cardiff. 

The Trotters have quality throughout the squad, although loanee winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is out injured. 

Head Coach Steven Schumacher joined Bolton on January 30, 2025, replacing Ian Evatt. 

The two sides drew 1-1 at Oakwell in mid-August, with a David McGoldrick opener being cancelled out by a late goal by former loanee John McAtee. 

Midfielder Vimal Yoganathan was also sent off early in the second half. 

Barnsley did the double over Bolton last season winning 2-1 away on Boxing Day and 4-1 at home in April. 

The two sides have met twelve times since 15 October 2022, including playing each other in back-to-back play-off semi-finals in 2023 and 2024. 

Barnsley and Bolton have met 54 times over the years, with Barnsley winning 17 and losing 19.