Barnsley welcome Brentford to Oakwell on Tuesday evening with the opportunity to move ahead of last season's playoff runners-up in the Championship table.

Although the Bees travel to Yorkshire on a five-match unbeaten streak, four of those games have ended in low-scoring draws.

Match preview

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While his side are keeping things tight at the back, Brentford boss Thomas Frank will feel that it is only a matter of time before his players find their rhythm at the other end of the pitch.

However, failing to score in two games in succession is a rarity for the Bees, and Frank may now start to consider making alterations to his trademark tactics.

Ivan Toney and Marcus Forss have scored all but three of Brentford's goals in the second tier this season, and thought will be given to using the pair in tandem.

Aside from Bryan Mbuemo, Frank's creative players are failing to replicate Said Benrahma's efforts from the last campaign, something which is desperately hindering their progress up the standings.

Sitting seven points off top spot is far from a disaster in November, but Frank will be the first to acknowledge that Toney and Forss require further assistance in attack.

Despite their contrasting positions last season, it is questionable whether Brentford should remain favourites for this encounter after Valerien Ismael's instant impact at Oakwell.

Twelve points have been recorded from a possible 15, with all four of Barnsley's victories being accompanied by a clean sheet.

In the short term, Ismael will be delighted to have moved the club eight points clear of the relegation zone, but the Tykes have the potential to emerge as outsiders for this season's playoffs.

While it is still early days in the Frenchman's reign, this group of players are all pulling in the right direction, and a fifth success since his October 23 appointment would be regarded as a statement of intent.

Barnsley Championship form: DWWLWW

Brentford Championship form: LDWDDD

Team News

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Despite his game-changing substitutions against Nottingham Forest, Ismael may stick with the same Barnsley XI.

After six appearances off the bench, recent signing Herbie Kane is pushing for his first start since his arrival from Liverpool.

Frank will hope to be able to call upon Ethan Pinnock after the centre-back missed the Wycombe game through a dead leg.

Emiliano Marcondes is expected to replace Saman Ghoddos, while Forss or Tariqe Fosu-Henry may get an opportunity in the front three.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Walton; Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen; Brittain, James, Mowatt, Styles; Frieser; Woodrow, Chaplin

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Dalsgaard, Jansson, Sorensen, Henry; Marcondes, Jensen, Dasilva; Mbuemo, Toney, Fosu-Henry

We say: Barnsley 1-2 Brentford

If Barnsley are able to prevail on Tuesday evening, few people would regard it as a surprise result. However, it is that change of perception which may motivate Brentford to make improvements in the final third, and we are backing the Bees to come through with maximum points in an entertaining contest.

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