Barnsley will be looking to give their Championship survival hopes a shot in the arm when they welcome Cardiff City to Oakwell this weekend.

The Tykes' recent revival was ended by Reading last week, leaving them five points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday's visit of promotion-chasing Cardiff.

Match preview

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Victories over Fulham, Middlesbrough and Hull City in the space of 11 days moved Barnsley off the foot of the table and within three points of safety.

Gerhard Struber's men were sent crashing back down to earth with a 2-0 loss at the Madejski Stadium last time out, though, with Yakou Meite and George Puscas earning Reading a comfortable win.

Barnsley now have 10 games to drag themselves out of the bottom three, starting with this weekend's clash against a Cardiff side they tend to struggle against.

The Tykes have won just one of their last 11 league games against the Bluebirds, losing seven of those, with their solitary victory coming at the Cardiff City Stadium in December 2016.

Indeed, Cardiff are unbeaten in their last five away league games against Barnsley since a 1-0 loss in November 2009.

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Neil Harris' men do not exactly enter this latest tussle on the strongest run of form, however, having gone four league games without a win.

Draws against Wigan Athletic and Brentford - the latter a credible point after recovering from two goals down - bookended losses to Stoke City and Nottingham Forest.

Back-to-back wins against Luton Town and Huddersfield Town last month gave City hope of challenging for a playoff berth, but they have gone off the boil and are now five points off sixth-placed Preston North End.

The loss of form has coincided with the injury absence of Lee Tomlin, who has chipped in with a combined 12 goals and assists in 18 matches under Harris.

More dropped points this weekend would effectively be another nail in Cardiff's promotion coffin, though not since September 2016 have they gone five Championship matches without a win.

Barnsley's Championship form: DLWWWL

Cardiff City's Championship form: WWDLLD

Team News

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Barnsley are still without Sami Radlinger and Callum Styles for the match at Oakwell, thought Struber expects to have the former back in the next week following a month-long absence.

Luke Thomas is in contention to return to the side after the defeat at Reading and Mike-Steven Bahre is also pushing for inclusion.

Cardiff have Jazz Richards back in their squad after being without the right-back for their last two matches through illness.

The Wales international's return could see Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Dion Sanderson make way, while Brad Smith is in contention for a debut on the opposite flank if Joe Bennett is given a breather.

Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing remain on the sidelines, while Isaac Vassell pulled up on his comeback for the Under-23s in the week and will not play again this season.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Sollbauer, Halme, Williams; Ludewig, Ritzmaier, Mowatt, Thomas; Woodrow; Brown, Chaplin

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Smithies; Richards, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Vaulks, Ralls, Pack; Adomah, Paterson, Hoilett

We say: Barnsley 0-1 Cardiff City

Barnsley and Cardiff are both in need of victories to boost their survival and promotion aspirations respectively. The Tykes have a poor record against the Bluebirds and we are expecting that winless run to continue this weekend.

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