Barnsley head into the last match of the League One season on Saturday in a more critical situation than expected, as they are now fighting to secure their top-six position amidst a poor run of form.
Managed by Neill Collins, the team aimed to return to the Championship this season but have faced challenges recently. Despite a strong start and being in contention for a top-two spot in early March, their form has declined. In their last 10 games, they have only earned 8 points and 2 wins, with their most recent victory against Burton Albion.
After a series of losses and a draw, including a defeat against leaders Portsmouth, Barnsley’s playoff hopes have been jeopardized. Following a 3-2 loss to Blackpool, which led to Collins’s departure, they now rely on a home win in the final game to secure a playoff spot. They currently hold a slim lead over Lincoln City and Oxford United in the race for the playoffs.
Their opponents, Northampton Town, have had a decent season after promotion from League Two, but recent losses have pushed them down the table. Sitting in 14th place, they aim to finish on a positive note and secure a top-half finish with a win against Barnsley, despite having less at stake compared to earlier in the season.
Barnsley Team News
With Barnsley looking to arrest their recent slump, interim manager Martin Devaney may make several changes to the starting lineup from the previous match under Neill Collins. While they will still be without defender Donovan Pines, the Reds could be boosted by the return of midfielder Luca Connell, who has been back in training after an injury.
If fit, Connell is expected to join Adam Phillips and Herbie Kane in the midfield. In defense, Jamie McCart may return to the starting lineup, joining Mael de Gevigney and Josh Earl in a back three.
The attacking duo of John McAtee and Devante Cole, who have scored 12 and 18 league goals respectively this season, are likely to retain their places in the starting lineup.
Northampton Town Team News
Northampton Town may also make several changes to their lineup after last week’s defeat. Defenders Patrick Brough and Harvey Lintott are both set to remain out due to injuries.
After being a substitute in the previous match against Exeter, Sam Hoskins, who has contributed 15 goals in League One this season, is expected to return to the starting attack, alongside Louis Appere and Kieron Bowie.
In midfield, Will Hondermarck will push for a starting berth, with Shaun McWilliams, Marc Leonard, and Jack Sowerby having started the last match. The center-back partnership of Sam Sherring and captain Jon Guthrie is likely to continue.
Final Prediction
In an upcoming clash between Barnsley and Northampton Town at Oakwell, the odds are favoring Barnsley with a 1.48 win probability. Northampton Town might cause an upset with their 6.00 win odds. The average goal percentages indicate a high likelihood of goals being scored, especially with an 84% chance of over 1.5 goals. Both teams have shown a tendency to concede, with a 62% BTTS likelihood.
Barnsley has an advantage in attack and defense when playing at home, showcasing a 41% win rate and average xG of 1.57. Contrarily, Northampton Town struggles away with a 27% win rate and averaging 1.44 xG against.
Based on these stats, expect an exciting match with good chances for goals, leaning towards a Barnsley victory, considering their stronger home performance. It promises to be an intriguing clash with potentially high-scoring outcomes
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