Rotherham United play host to Yorkshire rivals Barnsley on Tuesday evening looking to move clear of the Championship relegation zone.
However, Barnsley head into the contest at the AESSEAL New York Stadium having recorded four wins from their last five fixtures, a run which has helped the Tykes move into playoff contention.
Match preview
© Reuters
While the season is yet to reach the halfway stage, Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael is only strengthening his case to be viewed as the manager of the season.
Saturday's comeback win over Huddersfield Town took the Frenchman to 27 points from his 14 matches in charge since October, the fourth-best return in the division since his appointment.
At a club which only narrowly avoided relegation last season, it is a staggering achievement, but the 45-year-old must now focus his attention on trying to challenge for the playoffs.
The Tykes find themselves just five points adrift of sixth-placed Reading and eight behind Swansea City in second spot, meaning that recording two points per game for the rest of the campaign should see them go close for promotion.
Although that remains a dream at this stage of the season, there is no reason why it should not be the target ahead of a trip to 21st-placed Rotherham.
The hosts missed out on a game on Boxing Day due to positive coronavirus tests, but they should be well rested providing that the majority of their players are fully recovered.
That will naturally be a concern for Paul Warne ahead of two more games in quick succession, although that will not stop the Rotherham boss reiterating to his squad that they can ill-afford a fifth defeat in six matches.
They only lost out to Blackburn Rovers in their most recent fixture courtesy of a 97th-minute winner, and it remains to be seen whether having had time to stew over that disappointment will benefit or hinder them in this game.
Rotherham United Championship form: DLLLWL
Barnsley Championship form: LWWWLW
Team News
© Reuters
Warne's team selection will depend on which players have been able to return to full training after the recent coronavirus outbreak.
With Blackburn only prevailing through two late goals in their last match on December 16, the starting lineup could remain the same if each of the team are deemed available.
Despite their late win over Huddersfield, Ismael is expected to make a couple of changes to his Barnsley XI.
Herbie Kane and Victor Adeboyejo are in contention to replace Matty James and Dominik Frieser.
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Ihiekwe, Wood, MacDonald; Olosunde, Barlaser, Lindsay, Crooks, Wiles; Smith, Vassell
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Walton; Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen; Brittain, Kane, Mowatt, Styles; Adeboyejo, Woodrow, Chaplin
We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Barnsley
Well rested after seeing their Boxing Day fixture postponed, Rotherham will be full of energy ahead of this contest. However, despite the possibility of the Millers being able to outlast their opponents physically, we still feel that the visitors are playing with enough confidence to earn a share of the spoils.
