Middlesbrough look to keep their fading play-off dreams alive as they visit Barnsley at Oakwell in Saturday’s huge Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory would see Barnsley climb to third if Brentford and Swansea lose elsewhere, whereas a win could see Boro climb as high as eighth if Millwall and Cardiff fail to claim three points elsewhere.
Team News
Barnsley have no fresh injury concerns to report as Herbie Kane (knee), Liam Kitching (groin) and Ben Williams (knee) remain ruled out.
Middlesbrough will be without Sam Morsy after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Easter Monday’s draw against Watford.
Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Dael Fry, Anfernee Dijksteel (both ankle) and Marcus Browne (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Barnsley have claimed just four points from their last six league meetings against Middlesbrough (W1, D1, L4).
- Middlesbrough have won just one of their last seven league trips to Oakwell (W1, D1, L5).
- Cauley Woodrow has collected yellow cards in three of Barnsley’s last five home games (W2, D2, L1).
- Boro have scored in five of their last six away trips (W2, L4).
- Barnsley have claimed just one point from two home games refereed by Keith Stroud this season (D1, L1).
Prediction
With Bournemouth in strong form and with a game in hand, Barnsley cannot afford any slip-ups at this stage of the season and will be looking to continue their strong form in which they have consistently delivered clinical but intense pressing performances lately.
Middlesbrough meanwhile know that defeat here will all but end their play-offs hopes and their poor away form at Oakwell won’t help much psychologically, but Neil Warnock should nail the tactics given his experience although Boro will need to be clinical yet solid defensively if to win here.
With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a cagey contest with Boro launching counter attacks against the Tykes’ fierce pressing style, but I think the visitors will get another draw at best if their defence can stay largely compact and limit the hosts.
Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Barnsley 2-0 Middlesbrough