Barnsley welcome Swansea City to Oakwell in the first leg of their 2020-21 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final.
Valerien Ismael’s Tykes qualified for the Play-Offs in fifth just behind Swansea who finished fourth in the regular season.
Team News
Alex Mowatt is set to return for Barnsley after recovering from a groin injury which kept him sidelined for their final regular season game, as the Tykes drew 2-2 against Norwich.
Ben Williams remains ruled out with a long-term knee injury.
Swansea will be without Brandon Cooper after the youngster suffered a season-ending ankle injury in training.
Tivonge Rushesha remains absent with a knee injury.
Stat Attack
- Barnsley won their only play-off meeting against Swansea, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 2005-06 League One Play-Off Final in Cardiff.
- Swansea are visiting Oakwell in a play-off game for the very first time, although they are unbeaten in their last five league visits (W2, D3).
- Ismael’s Tykes have scored first in each of their last three home games (W2, D1).
- Six of Swansea’s last seven away goals have been scored by Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew, with Lowe netting four goals to Ayew’s two.
- This is Barnsley’s first home game all season to be refereed by Tony Harrington.
Prediction
Having snatched survival on the final evening of last season in late July, I genuinely am surprised that we are now talking about Barnsley as play-off contenders because they have just found another level since Ismael took over in late October.
His Tykes also delivered a strong performance in their last outing to twice lead Norwich but keeping a clean sheet was always a tough ask, so I hope that they can take heart from that result and tighten up here.
Swansea meanwhile have hit a rut with just one win in their last five matches but with Andre Ayew back in contention following recent hamstring issues, I really feel like this game will be key because they need to take a lead into the second leg for morale sake.
Barnsley though just look like a team full of confidence on home soil with goals in ten of their last 11 games at Oakwell and with fans back in attendance as well as Mowatt, I expect them to raise that gear to another level but Swansea’s defence should keep them in it.
Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Swansea
Result: Barnsley 0-1 Swansea