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Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

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

The Championship's basement side Sheffield Wednesday host Barnsley in a Yorkshire derby on Saturday.

Tony Pulis is yet to pick up his first win as Wednesday manager, while The Tykes are enjoying a decent start to the campaign, sitting 10 points clear of the relegation places.


Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate scoring against Bristol City on June 28, 2020© Reuters

The Owls were hit with a 12-point deficit at the start of the season - which has since been reduced to six points - for breaching spending rules.

That deduction has left the South Yorkshire side rooted to the foot of the second-tier four points from safety.

Garry Monk was given the axe after a poor run of form left Wednesday with just three wins from their opening 11 league matches.

However, Pulis has been unable to turn things around at Hillsborough and is without a win in his first six games at the helm. The former Stoke City and Middlesbrough boss will be hoping he can inspire a change in fortunes sooner rather than later.

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Valerien Ismael's men come into Saturday's clash in contrasting form, having picked up two wins in their last three outings.

Barnsley have yo-yoed between the Championship and League One in recent seasons, but their great escape in 2019-20 has given them a good platform to try and establish themselves in the second tier.

The 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers in midweek elevated them to 16th position in the table, a place Ismael will be looking to hang onto when they take on a Wednesday side short on confidence and form.

Barnsley do not usually fare too well against their more affluent neighbours and will see this as a great opportunity to get a rare victory over their county rivals.

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: LDDDLL

Barnsley Championship form: WLLWLW


Team News

Callum Styles celebrates with teammates after scoring for Barnsley against Birmingham City in the Championship on December 1, 2020© Reuters

Pulis will not have the option to call upon experienced goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, who remains sidelined with a groin injury.

He joins key centre-back Aden Flint, Chey Dunkley and striker Jack Marriott on the treatment table.

Nineteen-year-old defender Liam Shaw is serving the last of his three-match ban following a straight red card against Reading at the start of the month.

Welsh left-back Ben Williams and midfielder Mike-Steven Bahre are Barnsley's only absentees through injury.

Forward Cauley Woodrow will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal after scoring twice in his last three appearances.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Iorfa, Lees, Borner, Odubajo; Harris, Paterson, Luongo, Bannan, Reach; Windass

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


SM words green background

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Barnsley

Although Sheffield Wednesday are in a real rut, their home form has been a slight saving grace. They are unbeaten in their last four matches at Hillsborough and they should have enough to hold out for a draw against a buoyant Barnsley.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:425986:cQx

How you voted: Sheff Weds vs Barnsley

Sheffield Wednesday
19.4%
Draw
58.1%
Barnsley
22.6%
31
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Huddersfield Town manager Carlos Corberan pictured in December 2020.
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Carlos Corberan insists Huddersfield must improve after Wednesday win
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich20134329181143
2Bournemouth20108235161938
3Swansea CitySwansea21107423121137
4Brentford2199331181336
5Reading2111373126536
6Stoke CityStoke219752520534
7Middlesbrough1996424141033
8Watford198742215731
9Bristol City219482021-131
10Huddersfield TownHuddersfield219482527-231
11Cardiff CityCardiff218672620630
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn2185834241029
13Barnsley218492327-428
14Preston North EndPreston2183102730-327
15Luton TownLuton217681722-527
16Millwall2051051718-125
17Birmingham CityBirmingham215881723-623
18Coventry CityCoventry215882028-823
19Queens Park RangersQPR214981927-821
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2146111425-1118
21Derby CountyDerby203891022-1217
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham1944111827-916
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2147101121-1013
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2127121229-1713

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