In an early-season clash between two promotion hopefuls, Barnsley are set to host Wycombe Wanderers at Oakwell on Tuesday in League One.
The home team are sixth with 14 points after eight games and occupy the division's fourth and final promotion playoff spot, while the away team are just one place behind with 13 points but have played a game fewer.
Match preview
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Barnsley will be disappointed that they drew 1-1 against Stockport County last Saturday considering they were leading in the fourth minute but conceded a 91st-minute equaliser.
The hosts' tally of 14 points is a marginal improvement on the 13 points they tallied after eight league games last term, though they have scored five fewer league goals this season than at the same stage in 2023-24.
Manager Darrell Clarke, who only took charge of the club in late May, will be concerned that his side have kept just one clean sheet, especially as they had kept four after eight League One matches last season.
Clarke's team were also eliminated from the third round of the EFL Cup on September 17, when they lost 7-0 against Manchester United, though they did follow up that loss with a 2-1 win against Burton Albion on September 21.
In all competitions this season, Barnsley have lost four, drawn two and won six, including three wins in their last five league fixtures.
Barnsley's home record in League One is concerning given they have won just once at Oakwell in their last 11 attempts, drawing six times and losing on four occasions.
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As for the visitors, they come into the clash having beaten Bristol Rovers 2-1 on Saturday and bounced back from their 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the third round of the EFL Cup on September 24.
Wycombe were trailing after 17 minutes but got back into the game when Daniel Harvie scored an equaliser in the 77th minute, and they eventually took home all three points when
Joseph Low scored a 96th-minute winner.
Boss Matt Bloomfield said that his side started slowly in the first half because of the energy they expended against Villa in the EFL Cup, but he praised his players for responding well in the second half.
Bloomfield will be delighted with his side's offensive showings as the Chairboys are the only team in England's top four divisions to have scored at least two goals in every league game so far.
Wycombe have won their last three League One matches by a score of 2-1 and are unbeaten in their last five matches in the division.
The visitors' away record is strong given they have won six, drawn three and lost just one of their 10 most recent matches on the road in League One.
Team News
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Barnsley could be without wing-back Barry Cotter, who was substituted against Stockport due to an injury.
Cotter could be replaced in the XI by defender Donovan Pines, and he may be partnered by defenders Mael de Gevigney, Marc Roberts, Josh Earl and Corey O'Keeffe.
Sam Cosgrove appeared from the bench against Stockport but has started six league games this season, and he may be selected to play in a striker partnership with Davis Keillor-Dunn.
Meanwhile, Wycombe could name an unchanged defence from the one that faced Bristol Rovers, with goalscorers Daniel Harvie and Joe Low likely to be joined by Jack Grimmer and Caleb Taylor.
Aaron Morley may continue to anchor midfield, with Josh Scowen and Cameron Humphreys probable candidates to partner him in the middle of the pitch.
In the forward line, striker Richard Kone may be flanked by wingers Garath McCleary and David Wheeler.
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Slonina; De Gevigney, Roberts, Earl; Pines, Phillips, Connell, Craig, O'Keeffe; Cosgrove, Keillor-Dunn
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Low, Taylor, Harvie; Scowen, Morley, Humphreys; Wheeler, Kone, McCleary
We say: Barnsley 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Given Wycombe's strong away form, it would not be surprising if they managed to claim all three points.
Considering Barnsley's poor record at home, it is difficult to see how the hosts can achieve victory on Tuesday.
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Lewis Nolan
