Barnsley look to cause a giant killing as they welcome Chelsea to Oakwell in the concluding Fifth Round tie of 2020-21 FA Cup.
Barnsley are bidding to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2012-13 season, whereas Chelsea look to book a fifth Quarter-Final spot in six seasons.
Team News
Daryl Dike could make his Barnsley debut after signing for the Tykes on deadline day from Orlando City on a loan deal.
Romal Palmer (hamstring), Aapo Halme (toe) and Toby Sibbick (unspecified) could return but Liam Kitching (groin) and Ben Williams (knee) are sidelined.
Chelsea expect to have Timo Werner in contention for selection after the German was substituted in Sunday’s win at Sheffield United with a dead leg.
Kai Havertz (knock) and Christian Pulisic (personal) are also set to be available but Thiago Silva (muscle) is ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Barnsley have won both previous FA Cup meetings against Chelsea (W2), of which both matches were held at Oakwell, with the Tykes keeping clean sheets on both occasions.
- Chelsea have won just one of their last eight trips to Oakwell in all competitions (W1, D4, L3).
- All three of Barnsley’s goals in this season’s FA Cup have come after half time and at home too.
- Only one of Chelsea’s last three hat-tricks in a FA Cup tie have come away from Stamford Bridge, Oscar in a 5-1 win over MK Dons in January 2016.
- Barnsley have lost all five FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition since beating Chelsea in Quarter Finals of 2008-09 season (L5).
Prediction
Having not played for almost two weeks come kick-off on Thursday evening, Barnsley will definitely be fresh which could benefit them if are able to play defensively and take their chances well given that three of their five goals so far in 2021 have come in this competition.
Chelsea meanwhile are likely to dominate given their quality but if they put in another scrappy performance which requires a penalty winner, Barnsley certainly should be smelling a cupset if are clinical up front and can expose the Blues’ defensive sloppiness under pressure.
Oakwell also has been quite a bogey ground for Chelsea in all competitions so expect a closer contest than many might expect, but if Thomas Tuchel can get his Blues playing well then they should have enough for a routine win and their first FA Cup victory over the Tykes.
Prediction: Barnsley 0-2 Chelsea
Result: Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea