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Bolton Wanderers will welcome Bradford City to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday for the first leg of their League One playoff semi-final tie.
The visitors pipped their hosts to fourth spot with a victory on the final day of the regular season last week, moving onto 77 points in their first season back in England's third tier with back-to-back promotions in their sights, while Bolton finished on 75.
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Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City key stats
- Bolton Wanderers are featuring in the League One playoffs for the third time in four seasons, having lost in the 2022-23 semi-final and the 2023-24 final.
- Bolton Wanderers suffered just two defeats in their 23 home games of the regular League One season.
- Bradford City have failed to prevail in their last three playoff campaigns dating back to 2016-17.
Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City preview: Can Bolton make home advantage count ahead of second leg?
| Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City – Tale of the Tape | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bolton Wanderers | vs | Bradford City |
| 5th | Position | 4th |
| 75 | Points | 77 |
| 70 | Goals For | 58 |
| 52 | Goals Against | 51 |
| 11 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 5th | Home Rank | 3rd |
| 7th | Away Rank | 8th |
Having missed out for the first time in three seasons last time around, Bolton Wanderers return to the League One playoff stage at the weekend having seen out an eventual fifth-placed finish.
A tally of just six points from their final six outings of the regular season saw the Trotters end fifth and just one point above seventh spot, albeit with their playoff place already guaranteed heading into the final day on the back of a pair of draws, ending in a 1-1 away at their upcoming playoff opponents in which they led through Johnny Kenny.
Luton Town then visited the Toughsheet Community Stadium last weekend, and Steven Schumacher's side came from behind to lead 2-1 in the first half through Jordi Osei-Tutu and Ibrahim Cissoko, only for Hakeem Odoffin to level the game before Shayden Morris took all three points for the visitors deep into injury time.
| 🔍 Whispers Insight |
| Bolton Wanderers have won just two of their last 10 League One games since mid-March. |
They will now bid to bounce back to winning ways and take an aggregate lead into next week's second leg in Yorkshire, having played out a pair of draws in League One with their opponents while recording a 3-0 EFL Trophy triumph early in the season.
The Trotters will remain without midfielder Ethan Erhahon and attackers Marcus Forss and Corey Blackett-Taylor, although they are hopeful Sam Dalby will be fit to lead the attack after a brief injury layoff.
Their visitors, meanwhile, make the trip to Lancashire aiming to continue their climb towards back-to-back promotions, having only made a return to League One this season under Graham Alexander.
The Bantams have accumulated 77 points to finish the regular season in fourth spot, while earning a home second leg with the comeback draw against Bolton, thanks to Kayden Jackson's 80th-minute leveller, and a final-day win over Exeter City.
| 🔍 Whispers Insight |
| Only one team in League One's top half have scored fewer than Bradford City's 58 league goals in the regular season. |
Jackson was again on the scoresheet alongside Sarcevic as the Yorkshire side prevailed in a 2-1 victory at St James Park to finish fourth and make a first League One playoff appearance in 2017, having since had a bid in League Two in 2023, ending in a playoff semi-final loss to Carlisle United.
Alexander should field an unchanged starting XI from the win over Exeter, with attackers Bobby Pointon and Tyreik Wright sidelined by injuries.
Bradford City will now aim to take a step closer to returning to England's second tier for the first time since their relegation in 2004.
Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City form guide & betting tips
| Last 5 Form Guide – League One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bolton Wanderers | vs | Bradford City |
| L-W-D-D-L | League Form | L-D-D-D-W |
| 5 | Points | 6 |
| 15th | Form Table | 14th |
| 11 | Goals For | 6 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 6 |
| D-D-L | Form (all comps) | D-D-L |
Whispers predicts: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Bradford City
Playoff first legs like Saturday's are often tense and cagey encounters, with both sides keen to avoid harmful defeats heading into decisive second legs, and we fancy under 2.5 goals priced at 17/20.
Bolton have lost just twice at home in League One this season, one of which came on the final day with their top-six status already secured, and making the most of home advantage may be crucial if they are to progress to Wembley over two legs. Bolton Wanderers to win the match is priced at 4/5.
While the hosts' striker situation is unclear with Dalby hoping to return and facing competition from John McAtee and Mason Burstow, Ibrahim Cissoko should start on the wing and comes in with confidence having scored twice in the last three games. Cissoko is priced at 11/4 to score anytime.
| 📈 Whispers' Tips |
| Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 | Likelihood: Probable |
| Bolton Wanderers to win at 4/5 | Likelihood: Likely |
| Ibrahim Cissoko to score anytime at 11/4 | Likelihood: Possible |