BARNSLEY host Blackpool and their dangerous striker Jordan Rhodes from 3pm.
The Seasiders, who dropped out of the Championship last season, are 14th in the early League One table with 12 points from eight games – four behind the fifth-placed Reds who have played an extra game.
Blackpoool are managed by Neil Critchley who got them promoted out of League One in 2021 then had short spells at Aston Villa and QPR before coming back for this season.
They were one of the lowest scorers in the division until they thrashed fellow relegated side Reading 4-1 on Saturday which doubled their goal tally for the campaign.
Only leaders Portsmouth and third-placed Stevenage have conceded fewer goals than Blackpool’s seven let in so far.
Collins said: “They are very good.
“When teams come down, they are sometimes indifferent at the start.
“But they have good players and Neil Critchley has had success before.
“They are very well-organised, and have a good way of playing.
“It will be as tough a game as any and I would expect Blackpool to be right up there at the end of the season.
“They are a good footballing side.
“But they are also organised against the ball, with a good structure, and good footballers in the middle of the park.”
Although Blackpool have the best home record in the division, their three away league games this season have brought a draw then two defeats while they and Cheltenham Town are the only EFL clubs yet to score on the road in the league so far.
Blackpool won their opening game at home to Burton then, after three 0-0 draws, conceded their first goals of the season in a 3-0 loss at Lincoln.
They scored a last-minute winner against Wigan Athletic, by ex-Red Kenny Dougall, then were beaten 2-0 at Wycombe before the Reading win.
As well as Dougall, who played 43 games for the Reds between 2018 and 2020 but is an injury doubt for Saturday, Blackpool have Callum Connolly who played three games on loan to the Reds in 2016 from Everton including his professional debut.
Blackpool have loaned in former Barnsley academy player Jordan Rhodes for the season from Huddersfield Town.
Rhodes is one of the most prolific EFL strikers of all time, having netted more than 200 goals.
“We need the whole team to defend and restrict his opportunities. We need to use the ball well. If we have it, then they don’t. We want our striker who is scoring a lot of goals (Devante Cole) getting those opportunities.
“But there will be a time when your defenders need to be very aware of Jordan. Many defenders have been aware of him in the past and still found it tough but we will be as prepared as we can for him and other threats.
“Their wing-backs are really positive and aggressive. CJ Hamilton is a good one v one player. The service for Jordan comes from those wide areas.
“Blackpool have a lot of quality throughout the team. It will be very similar to the Peterborough and Portsmouth games.”
This will be the 106th meeting of the two clubs, with Barnsley winning 46 and losing 34.
Blackpool did the double over the Reds in the 2021/22 season.
Barnsley lost 1-0 at Bloomfield Road in September under Markus Schopp then were beaten 2-0 at home in April under caretaker Martin Devaney, days after their relegation was confirmed.
