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Preview: Barnsley vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Barnsley and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Barnsley will be looking to tighten their grip on a playoff spot in Saturday's home clash with Middlesbrough, whose own top-six hopes are fast fading.

The Tykes returned to winning ways last time out to climb into fifth, while Boro are nine points off the playoffs following a three-game winless streak.


Match preview

Barnsley's Daryl Dike celebrates scoring their first goal against Luton Town in the Championship on April 5, 2021© Reuters

After losing 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday and drawing 1-1 with Reading at home either side of the two-week break, Barnsley beat Luton Town 2-1 on Tuesday to pick up a welcome win - a record sixth in a row away from home.

Daryl Dike maintained his superb form since joining on loan from Orlando City in January with a goals in both halves, making it seven goals in 13 outings for the American forward.

That win maintained Barnsley's two-point lead on Reading in sixth and a three-point advantage on seventh-placed Bournemouth, who have a game in hand to play.

Barnsley cannot afford to slip up this weekend, then, particularly given that victory for Boro would revive their own top-six hopes.

Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier celebrates scoring their second goal against Preston North End in the Championship on March 16, 2021© Reuters

Neil Warnock's men have stuttered of late, taking just one point from the last nine on offer - defeats to Millwall and Bournemouth followed by a 1-1 draw against Watford.

Promotion expert Warnock has effectively ruled out a place in the playoffs, but his side could be within six points of sixth place should results go their way this weekend.

Monday's 1-1 draw with high-flying Watford has to be considered a good result for Boro, with a rare Yannick Bolasie goal cancelling out Ismaila Sarr's opener at the Riverside.

This is the toughest of the Smoggies' remaining fixtures, and Warnock knows better than any manager in the division just how important momentum can be at this stage of the season.

However, Boro have lost each of their last three away league games and have lost five of their last seven away league meetings with Barnsley.

Barnsley Championship form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W

Middlesbrough Championship form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D


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Team News

Middlesbrough's Marc Bola celebrates scoring their second goal against Reading on February 20, 2021© Reuters

Dyke has scored four goals in his last four appearances for Barnsley, netting braces at both Wycombe Wanderers and Luton, and is certain to lead the line here.

Valerien Ismael has the option of rotating his attack slightly, though, with Carlton Morris in contention to replace Victor Adeboyejo, who is without a goal since mid-December.

Liam Kitching, Herbie Kane and Ben Williams are the home side's confirmed absentees for this contest.

As for Middlesbrough, Sam Morsy has joined Dael Fry, Marcus Browne, Marcus Tavernier and Anfernee Dijksteel on the sidelines after damaging ligaments against Watford.

Bolasie replaced Morsy in that match and took his opportunity with a late leveller, meaning that he is likely to get the nod out on the left here.

Warnock has never been entirely happy with his striker options this term, but Duncan Watmore may again get the nod over Ashley Fletcher up top on Saturday.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Andersen, Helik, Sibbick; Brittain, Palmer, Mowatt, Styles; Morris, Dike, Woodrow

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Fisher, McNair, Hall, Bola; Howson, Saville; Spence, Kebano, Bolasie; Watmore


SM words green background

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough won October's reverse fixture 2-1 and are seeking a first league double over Barnsley since the 2011-12 campaign.

The hosts are a completely different side six months on, though, even if they have been shaky at Oakwell of late, and we can see them picking up all three points here.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:data


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How you voted: Barnsley vs Middlesbrough

Barnsley
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Draw
14.0%
Middlesbrough
6.0%
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Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock pictured in February 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
2Watford432510860283285
3Bournemouth4322111073423177
4Swansea CitySwansea4322101152341876
5Brentford422015772413175
6Barnsley43228135546974
7Reading4319111357461168
8Queens Park RangersQPR431711155151062
9Cardiff CityCardiff4316131459471261
10Middlesbrough43179175148360
11Millwall431417124244-259
12Luton TownLuton42169173646-1057
13Stoke CityStoke431414154749-256
14Preston North EndPreston43157214455-1152
15Bristol City43156224258-1651
16Coventry CityCoventry431312184258-1651
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn431311195449550
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest431214173542-750
19Birmingham CityBirmingham431213183351-1849
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield431211204563-1847
21Derby CountyDerby431110223151-2043
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham41116244256-1439
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds43129223655-1939
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe43910243467-3337

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