2019-20 Sky Bet Championship: Week 13 – Tuesday

West Bromwich Albion welcome Barnsley to The Hawthorns in a huge Sky Bet Championship clash between top and bottom. 

A home win could see West Brom extend their lead whilst Barnsley will move off the bottom if they take all three points. 

 

Team news

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Matt Phillips could be available for West Brom after missing Saturday’s win at Middlesbrough with a shin injury. 

Kenneth Zohore (calf) and Kieran Gibbs (toe) however are doubts for this match. 

Barnsley will hand Bambo Diaby and Dimitri Cavare late fitness tests after recent injuries, although Diaby managed to start on Saturday against Swansea.

Midfielder, Kenny Dougall meanwhile could keep his starting spot after making a successful return at the weekend, following a seven month lay-off with a broken leg. 

 

Form

West Brom enter this match with just one defeat all season after Hal Robson-Kanu’s tap in proved enough to squeeze past Middlesbrough on Saturday, which was only their second clean sheet of the season and both came away from The Hawthorns.

Barnsley are still winless since their opening weekend victory over Fulham but have taken two draws from their last three outings, although they have taken just one point on the road all season which came in a goalless draw at Wigan in late August. 

 

Stat Attack

• West Brom are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings with Barnsley, although they are winless in their last three clashes (W2, D1, L2). 
• Both teams have scored in the last three meetings, of which two took place at Oakwell whilst their last meeting at The Hawthorns finished 1-1 in May 2010. 
• Barnsley have scored the least goals this season in the Championship, producing just nine goals from 12 matches. 

 

Prediction

Barnsley will pose a similar test for West Brom to what Middlesbrough provided on Saturday because they are a good solid team, despite lacking that attacking threat which is evident on the road this season. 

I therefore can see another tightly fought battle for the Baggies, especially given that there will be squad rotation but if they can start producing their best football then this should be a third consecutive win. 

Prediction: WBA 2-1 Barnsley

Result: WBA 2-2 Barnsley