Barnsley will be bidding to move closer to the automatic promotion spots in League One when they host relegation-threatened Cambridge United on Friday afternoon.
The hosts are currently fifth in the table, seven points behind second-placed Derby County with two games in hand, while Cambridge sit 20th, just three points ahead of 21st-placed Port Vale.
Match preview
© Reuters
Barnsley finished fourth in League One last season, which saw them qualify for the playoffs, but they were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield Wednesday in the final, with the result keeping them in the third tier.
The Tykes are again in a playoff spot at this stage of the 2023-24 campaign, sitting fifth in the division, nine points ahead of seventh-placed Stevenage with a game in hand.
As a result, their spot in the top six is relatively secure entering the final straight, but automatic promotion is still within reach, sitting only seven points behind second-placed Derby with two games in hand, while they are 12 points behind the leaders Portsmouth with a match spare.
Neill Collins's side suffered a shock 5-1 home loss to Lincoln City on March 9, but they have picked up four points from their last two matches, beating Carlisle United 2-2 before drawing 0-0 with Cheltenham Town.
Barnsley have picked up 32 points from their 20 home league matches this season, and they will be welcoming a Cambridge side with the second-worst away record, having only claimed 13 points from their 19 games on their travels during the 2023-24 campaign.
© Reuters
Cambridge only just survived relegation from League One last season, finishing the campaign in 20th position, just one point ahead of 21st-placed MK Dons.
United have had another testing season, picking up just 39 points from their 38 league matches, which has left them in 20th position in the table, just three points outside of the relegation zone.
Garry Monk's side have not been victorious in the third tier of English football since a 4-0 success over Carlisle in the middle of February, losing six of their last seven fixtures.
Cambridge drew 1-1 at home to Northampton Town on March 9 but have since lost 6-0 to Lincoln City and 4-0 to Reading, and their form is worrying at a vital stage of the campaign.
United, who will host Wigan Athletic on April 1, suffered a 4-0 defeat to Barnsley in the reverse match earlier this season, while they were beaten 2-0 by the Tykes at Oakwell last term.
Team News
© Reuters
Barnsley head coach Collins is unlikely to make many changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Cheltenham last time out.
There could be a return for Devante Cole, though, with the forward dropping down to the bench last time out; the 28-year-old has scored 17 times in the league this term and is likely to be back in the XI.
James McAtee has managed eight league goals this season and will also start, while it should again be a 3-4-1-2 formation for Barnsley, with Adam Phillips operating as the number 10.
Matty Wolfe is Barnsley's only confirmed absentee at this stage due to a knee problem.
As for Cambridge, Harrison Dunk, Brandon Haunstrup, George Thomas and Glenn McConnell will all be missing on Friday afternoon due to injury problems.
There is also a doubt over Jack Stevens, with the goalkeeper's fitness needing to be assessed before it is determined whether he will be involved in this contest.
Stevens was forced off against Reading last time out, and Will Mannion is therefore on standby to start, while there could be a change in the final third of the field following the heavy defeat to the Royals, with Sullay Kaikai in line to come into the XI.
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Roberts; De Gevigney, McCart, Earl; O'Keeffe, Russell, Connell, Cadden; Phillips; McAtee, Cole
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Mannion; Gibbons, Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Cousins, Digby, Brophy; Kaikai, Taylor, Kachunga
We say: Barnsley 2-0 Cambridge United
Cambridge's recent form has been extremely poor, and they have only managed to triumph in three of their 19 away league matches this season. Barnsley were held at home by Cheltenham last time out, but we are backing them to secure all three points on Friday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
