Bolton vs Bradford prediction, betting tips and bet builder – Can Trotters triumph over Bantams?

May 9, 2026 - 08:45

Bolton and Bradford begin their League One play off campaigns this weekend as they go head to head for the first leg of their semi final at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Manchester.

Bolton v Bradford best bets

Bolton win to nil at 2/1 with Sky Bet
Mason Burstow to score at 7/4 with Sky Bet
Max Power to be carded at 9/4 with Sky Bet
Bolton to win to nil, Burstow to score, Power carded at 15/1 with Sky Bet

Bolton v Bradford head to head overview

Date: Saturday 9th May 2026
Kick-off: 8pm
Venue: Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton, UK
How to watch: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Ultra HDR
Referee: Martin Coy
Last meeting: Bradford 1-1 Bolton (Apr 2026, League One)
Last 10 matches: Bolton – 2 wins; Bradford – 2 wins; Draws – 6
Favourite to win: Bolton – 4/5 with Sky Bet

Bolton v Bradford predicted lineups

Bolton (4-2-3-1): Bonham (GK); Osei-Tutu, Toal, Forino-Joseph, Conway; Sheehan, Rodrigues; Cozier-Duberry, Kenny, Cissoko; Dalby

Bradford (3-4-3): Walker (GK); Wright, Baldwin, Tilt; Neufville, Metcalfe, Power, Touray; Sarcevic, Jackson, Lapslie

Bolton v Bradford prediction

Bolton head into the League One play offs as the favourites for promotion despite having finished fifth in the table following their 3-2 defeat at home against Luton on the final day of the season which leaves them with just one win from their last six matches.

Steven Schumacher’s side have been an ever present in the top six since November and had occupied third position in the table from the end of February through to the morning of the final game of the campaign.

The Trotters did enjoy a very strong season at their home stadium though, with only League One champions Lincoln having lost fewer matches on their home patch, although one of their two defeats was in their most recent outing and only one of their last five has ended in victory.

Saturday night sees them take on a Bradford side in the first leg of their play off final as they seek a first season in the Championship since their relegation in 2019.

This will be the Manchester side’s third League One play-off campaign in the last four seasons, losing in the semi finals in 2023, they then went one better to reach Wembley in 2024, and will hoping to make it third time lucky this time around.

Bradford, themselves, don’t head into the post season in the best of form, but do, at least, make the trip to Manchester on the back of a win following their 2-1 victory at Exeter on the final day of the season to end a run of four matches without a triumph.

Graham Alexander’s side have been an ever present in the play-off picture since mid August, and were even occupying the automatic promotion places until June, before picking up a few too many defeats in the second half of the season.

The Bantams went through a serious wobble in their record away from home around the turn of the year, going through a run of 10 defeats in 12 matches on their travels, but did manage to curb the run of defeats towards the climax of the season, picking up seven points from their final three outings on the road.

The Yorkshire side are looking to achieve back to back promotions for the first time in their history after securing the all important top three finish on the final day of last season, as they hunt a place in the second tier for the first time since 2004.

Bolton are unbeaten in their last five matches against Bradford, who haven’t so much as scored in any of their last three visits to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, a tight and tense game can be expected, and the Bantams’ unfavourable away record might suggest a narrow 1-0 home win could be on the cards.

Bolton v Bradford betting tips

Bolton bolt the door on Bantams

Bolton are undefeated in their last five matches against Bradford, who haven’t so much as scored a goal on any of their last three visits to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

The Bantams have struggled away from home in the second half of the season, and their only win in their last five matches has been against a relegated Exeter side on the final day of the campaign.

The Trotters also boast play-off experience in recent years having reached the semis three years ago and the final the following year, so will be eager to go one better and put one foot in the Wembley final on Saturday, spurred on by their vociferous home crowd.

Bolton win to nil at 2/1 with Sky Bet

Mason on the money

No player on either team has scored more goals this season than Bolton striker Mason Burstow, on loan from Hull.

The former Chelsea striker has scored 12 goals across League One in the current campaign, including one in their most recent win, a 5-1 thrashing over fellow play off rivals Stevenage.

The Trotters are undefeated when Burstow has scored for them this season.

Mason Burstow to score at 7/4 with Sky Bet

Power pumped up

Bradford captain Max Power has been on the receiving end of more yellow cards than any other player in League One this season, having picked his 15th of the campaign in last week’s match at Exeter on the final day of the campaign.

The midfielder has also been booked on two his three career appearances at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, including in his most recent visit with the Bantams back in November.

Max Power to be carded at 9/4 with Sky Bet

Bolton v Bradford latest odds

Find the latest Bolton v Bradford betting odds here, odds courtesy of Sky Bet and are subject to change.

Bolton – 4/5
Draw – 5/2
Bradford – 3/1

More EFL play off predictions

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