2020-21 Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs: Semi-Final Second Leg – Swansea vs Barnsley

Barnsley look to keep their promotion dreams alive as they visit Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in the second leg of their Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final. 

Entering this leg with an one goal lead from the first leg, Swansea know that a win or draw would see them advance to the Play-Off Final.

Barnsley meanwhile need to score at least twice to turn this semi-final around and book a spot at Wembley, where the winners of Brentford’s tie against Bournemouth await.

 

Team News

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Swansea have no fresh injury concerns to report as Brandon Cooper and Tivonge Rushesha remain absent with respective ankle and knee injuries.

Barnsley also  have no fresh injury concerns to report as Ben Williams remains absent with a long-term injury.

 

Stat Attack

• Swansea are unbeaten against Barnsley in two previous play-off meetings excluding penalties (W1, D1).
• Barnsley have won just one of their last 15 trips to Swansea in all competitions (W1, D2, L12).
• Steve Cooper’s Swans have conceded ten goals in their last seven home games, whilst six of their seven goals in this run have come after half time.
• Five of Barnsley’s last six away goals have come from Daryl Dike.
• Swansea have drawn their only previous home game refereed by John Brooks this season, holding Brentford to 1-1 draw in late January.

 

Prediction

Swansea come into this game with the first leg lead after delivering a disciplined display at Oakwell, in which they defended well and ultimately created better chances even if Freddie Woodman did bail them out of trouble with exceptional saves.

Barnsley however will be desperate to get on the front foot early because they were marginally the better team in the first leg, yet poor creative attacking moves and careless finishing were costly on top of their momentary lapse in defensive focus.

Now if Ismael Valerien’s Tykes can sort out those issues and score first then I really can see them forcing extra time, especially because Swansea’s home form has dropped recently but there is no away goal rule in these play-offs which means that Barnsley must simply go for it here.

I therefore wouldn’t be surprised if we see a penalty shootout if the tie finishes level on aggregate with Barnsley eventually edging it, given that we know their ability to handle pressure in must-win games.

Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Barnsley (Barnsley to win on penalties)

Result: Swansea 1-1 Barnsley (Swansea win 2-1 on aggregate!!)