By James Cormack
A spot in the Championship is at stake when Bolton take on Oxford United in Saturday's League One play-off final.
Having finished third in the table, Bolton were the favourites to earn promotion to the second tier ahead of the semi-finals but were handed a late scare by Barnsley in the second leg of their tie. Ian Evatt's side eventually held off Barnsley's resurgence to earn a spot at Wembley.
While Bolton are aiming to return to the Championship for the first time since 2019, Oxford Utd are vying for the first second-tier berth in their history.
Oxford rode their luck somewhat in the semi-finals against Peterborough having finished the League One season in fifth, seven points adrift of the Posh. The U's require a vastly improved performance from their previous meeting with Bolton if they are to secure a historic result on Saturday.
Oxford were beaten 5-0 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in March.
Here's 90min's preview of the 2024 League One play-off final.
What time does Bolton vs Oxford Utd kick-off?
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: Wembley Stadium
- Date: Saturday 18 May
- Kick-off Time: 16:15 BST / 11:15 ET / 08:15 PT
- Referee: Sam Barrott
- VAR: Peter Bankes
Bolton vs Oxford Utd H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Bolton: 3 wins
- Oxford Utd: 1 win
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: Bolton 5-0 Oxford Utd (12 March 2024) - League One
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Bolton vs Oxford Utd on TV and live stream
Bolton team news
There are unlikely to be any changes to the Bolton team that progressed past Barnsley in the semi-finals.
Carlos Gomes, Jon Bodvarsson, Caleb Taylor and Daniel Nlundulu all miss out due to injury.
Bolton predicted lineup vs Oxford Utd
Bolton predicted lineup vs Oxford Utd (3-5-2): Baxter; Jones, Santos, Toal; Dacres-Cogley, Maghoma, Sheehan, Thomason, Williams; Charles, Collins.
Oxford Utd team news
There are doubts over the statuses of Joe Bennett and Tyler Goodrham, both of whom were forced off with injuries against Peterborough last week.
However, the two players are expected to be fit for Saturday's final.
Oxford Utd predicted lineup vs Bolton
Oxford Utd predicted lineup vs Bolton (4-1-4-1): Cumming; Stevens, Moore, Brown, Bennett; Brannagan; Dale, Goodrham, Rodrigues, Murphy; Harris.
Bolton vs Oxford Utd score prediction
This is unfamiliar territory for Oxford, who are playing in just their second play-off final ever. Bolton, meanwhile, haven't featured in such a fixture since 2001.
Despite their second-leg defeat to Barnsley in the semis, Bolton are favoured to triumph at Wembley and understandably so. They finished seven points clear of Oxford in the League One table having battered them 5-0 in their most recent head-to-head duel.
Play-off finals are typically cagey and Bolton are unlikely to blow Oxford away, but it'd be a surprise if Evatt's side didn't earn promotion to the Championship.
Prediction: Bolton 2-0 Oxford Utd
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Bolton vs Oxford Utd: Preview, predictions and lineups.
