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Preview: Barnsley vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Barnsley welcome Blackburn Rovers to Oakwell on Wednesday evening on the back of ending Brentford's long-standing unbeaten record in the Championship.

The surprise win over the Bees has moved Barnsley level on points with their ninth-placed opponents, who have suffered back-to-back defeats.


Match preview

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Narrowing losing out to Chelsea in the FA Cup on Thursday frustrated Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael, who felt that his side could have defeated the Premier League giants.

However, the promise shown during that performance was turned into a substantial return during the game against Brentford as Barnsley ended a five-match winless streak by defeating one of the form teams in the country.

While goals from Conor Chaplin and Carlton Morris proved to be the difference, Ismael would have gained greater satisfaction from the clean sheet which was recorded at the promotion contenders.

Barnsley are now part of a nine-team group separated by just three points, throwing up the opportunity of a place in the top 10 and above with victory on Wednesday night.

Blackburn are also among the clubs looking to break clear in the race for a top-six position, despite suffering two successive defeats in the Championship.

Tony Mowbray would have expected points to be picked up from fixtures against Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End, teams sitting below them in the table.

However, losing both games and scoring just one goal in the process would have reminded Mowbray that being blessed with a talented squad will not necessarily be enough to make headway up the standings.

While Rovers now have one of the best backlines in the second tier, they have not scored more than twice in a match since they defeated 10-man Preston at Deepdale on November 24.

Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott, who has earned rave reviews since his switch to Ewood Park, is now without a goal in his last 10 appearances in all competitions.

Barnsley Championship form: LLLDDW
Barnsley form (all competitions): LWDDLW

Blackburn Rovers Championship form: WDWWLL
Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions): LDWWLL


Team News

Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray pictured in January 2021© Reuters

Mowbray could make a number of changes to his Blackburn XI, including handing recalls to Elliott and Ben Brereton.

Manchester City loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis may also be drafted into the starting lineup for his first start.

Ismael may opt to keep changes down to a minimum having taken the chance to rest several of his Barnsley players at the weekend.

Cauley Woodrow is most likely to return to the starting lineup, taking the place of Morris in the final third.

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

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Harwood-Bellis, Lenihan, Branthwaite, Bell; Travis, Rothwell; Elliott, Dack, Brereton; Armstrong


SM words green background

We say: Barnsley 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Playing their third game in under a week, Barnsley may have to rely on adrenaline to repeat their exploits at the weekend. Nevertheless, we feel that they will have enough in the tank to earn at least a share of the spoils, a result which would not aid either team's promotion bid.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win 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.Away Win:data


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How you voted: Barnsley vs Blackburn

Barnsley
54.3%
Draw
19.8%
Blackburn Rovers
25.9%
81
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Harvey Elliott in action for Blackburn Rovers on November 3, 2020
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Fulham to receive 'up to £4.3m' from Liverpool for Harvey Elliott
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich32207545252067
2Brentford32179659342560
3Watford32179643232060
4Swansea CitySwansea30178538191959
5Reading32156114437751
6Cardiff CityCardiff321471148341449
7Bournemouth321310946321449
8Barnsley31146113635148
9Middlesbrough32137123734346
10Stoke CityStoke32111293735245
11Millwall3291673128343
12Bristol City32133163243-1142
13Queens Park RangersQPR301010103034-440
14Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest331010132832-440
15Preston North EndPreston32124163442-840
16Blackburn RoversBlackburn31116144537839
17Derby CountyDerby32108142533-838
18Luton TownLuton31108132435-1138
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield32106163847-936
20Coventry CityCoventry32810142943-1434
21Birmingham CityBirmingham32710152340-1731
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham3085173341-829
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds3197152135-1428
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe3158182351-2823

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