MX23RW : Friday, January 1 11:35:37| >> :120:54209:54209:
Dec 19, 2020 at 3pm UK at Liberty Stadium
SwanseaSwansea City
2-0
BarnsleyBarnsley
Lowe (2'), Adeboyejo (66' og.)
Roberts (90+4')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Walton (29')

Preview: Swansea City vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Barnsley make the trip to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea City having won their last three fixtures in the Championship.

Despite their surprise defeat at Derby County in midweek, Swansea still sit in fourth position in the standings.


Match preview

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Having only avoided relegation from the Championship on the closing week of last season, the majority of Barnsley supporters would have been content with a year away from the drop zone.

However, since the appointment of Valerien Ismael, the Tykes have collected 24 points from 12 games, the third best return in the second tier.

With Barnsley now 12 points clear of the bottom three, Ismael can afford to place full focus on trying to reduce the four-point gap which separates the Yorkshire side and the playoffs.

On the back of three successive wins against Wycombe Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End, they will play with confidence at the Liberty Stadium.

Cauley Woodrow remains the club's star player with three goals and two assists coming from his last five appearances.

While the visitors are very much a team on the up, Swansea's lack of consistency has meant that they have been unable to keep pace with Norwich City and Bournemouth.

Nevertheless, they are still in fourth position in the standings despite producing one of their worst performances of the season at Derby in midweek.

Steve Cooper's side allowed the Rams to seize the early initiative, and the Swans never recovered as they lost their second game in five contests.

Although victory on Saturday would get the Welsh team back on track, it will be far easier said than done with just six goals coming from as many matches.

Swansea City Championship form: WLWDWL

Barnsley Championship form: LWLWWW


Team News

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper pictured on November 3, 2020© Reuters

Despite naming a settled side for much of the season, the manner of Wednesday's defeat may lead to Swansea boss Cooper ringing the changes for this contest.

Yan Dhanda and Liam Cullen could earn a recall in the final third, while Ben Cabango will expect to replace Kyle Naughton in defence.

Ryan Manning and Kasey Palmer will also feel that they are due a run of matches in the first team.

The extra day of recovery may lead to Barnsley manager Ismael opting for the same starting XI.

Despite starting three games in succession, Matty James is likely to keep his place ahead of Herbie Kane.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Cabango, Bennett, Guehi; Roberts, Smith, Fulton, Bidwell; Dhanda; Ayew, Cullen

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


SM words green background

We say: Swansea City 1-1 Barnsley

While Barnsley have been excellent since the arrival of Ismael, Swansea will be motivated to hit back after their defeat in the East Midlands. Both sides have the potential to nick this by the odd goal in three, but we are going to back a share of the spoils.


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:426850:cQx

How you voted: Swansea vs Barnsley

Swansea City
65.0%
Draw
17.5%
Barnsley
17.5%
40
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Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Valerien Ismael: 'Wednesday win is an early Christmas present for fans'
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich22135430201044
2Brentford22118336211541
3Swansea CitySwansea22117425121340
4Bournemouth21108336181838
5Reading2211473227537
6Stoke CityStoke229852621535
7Watford209742315834
8Barnsley2210482728-134
9Middlesbrough209652516933
10Bristol City2210392324-133
11Preston North EndPreston22102103030032
12Huddersfield TownHuddersfield229492730-331
13Luton TownLuton228682024-430
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn228593627929
15Cardiff CityCardiff228592925429
16Millwall2051051718-125
17Coventry CityCoventry225892030-1023
18Birmingham CityBirmingham225891727-1023
19Queens Park RangersQPR224992030-1021
20Derby CountyDerby2147101423-919
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2247111526-1119
22Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2257101423-916
23Rotherham UnitedRotherham2044121929-1016
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2236131532-1715

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