Barnsley make a return to Sky Bet League One action on Saturday, with a trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium to face high‑flying Bolton Wanderers.
The schedule continues to highlight the relentless nature of English league football, with another Saturday–Tuesday block ahead.
After the visit to Bolton, Barnsley travel to Stevenage on Tuesday evening before returning to Oakwell to host AFC Wimbledon the following weekend.
Bolton enter the fixture in strong form, unbeaten in their last five league outings and currently sitting third in the table.
New signing Tom Bradshaw is in contention to feature after completing his return to Oakwell on deadline day.
The forward could provide a key, additional attacking option as Barnsley navigate a congested run of fixtures.
Bolton come into the game with 52 points, including 34 earned at home, and remain one of the division’s most consistent sides. They have scored 38 goals this season and lead League One in expected goals (45.8), though their tally could be higher given 52 big chances missed.
Defensively, they are the strongest unit in the league, conceding just 27 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets. Bolton also dominate possession, averaging 59.9% and completing 390 passes per match, the second‑highest total in the division.
Key players include Josh Sheehan, who has three goals, three assists and 35 chances created, and Mason Burstow, their top scorer with eight goals plus three assists.
Both are central to Bolton’s attacking rhythm and chance creation.
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane acknowledged the challenge ahead:
“Bolton are a really good team. I really like Steven Schumacher; he’s got a really good way of playing. They play in a really attacking way with two wingers.”
Bolton manager Steven Schumacher also expects a competitive encounter:
“I think the way Barnsley play, it’s going to be a test because they’ve got loads of good movement and rotations. They can pass the ball as well as anyone in the division, so we’ll have to be fully concentrated and understand our roles and responsibilities.”
