BARNSLEY will host League One’s lowest scorers Stevenage from 3pm but also a side who have kept five consecutive away clean sheets.
Boro are 16th, ten points off the top six and ten above the relegation zone.
This week they lost 2-1 at home to Wigan on Saturday in the league then won 1-0 at Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
They had the fourth best defensive record in the division, with just 22 goals conceded in 24 games.
Stevenage have kept 13 clean sheets in the league this season – the joint highest number in the division – while Barnsley have kept the third fewest with four.
But Alex Revell’s side have scored just 19 league goals, the lowest in the division and second lowest in the EFL.
They have only scored three goals away from home this season in the league, the joint lowest total in English professional football.
The last time they netted on the road in the league was on October 19 at Mansfield when they got their only away league win of the campaign.
But they have only conceded eight times on their travels, which is the best record in the division and third best in England.
Their last three away league games have been goalless draws at Blackpool, Northampton and Lincoln.
In all competitions, they have kept five successive clean sheets on the road.
Clarke has not beaten Stevenage in eight attempts as a manager – drawing five and losing three – or Revell in five meetings.
Clarke said: “They are a robust team and decent defensively.
“They have kept plenty of clean sheets so we will have to be at our best to break them down.
“We know we can’t give away any more silly goals.
“Stevenage is always a tough game.”
The Reds have not won three successive home games since they won nine in a row under Michael Duff in 2023.
But, after winning just two of their first 11 league matches at Oakwell this season, they defeated Wrexham and Crawley at the start of 2025.
Clarke said: “It’s good to win some home games but we just focus on winning the next game, home or away.
“It’s a big week with three games – Wycombe and Burton as well.”
The clubs had never met before last season.
The Reds won 2-1 at home, coming from behind thanks to goals by John McAtee and Herbie Kane, then lost 2-1 away in April. They returned to Hertfordshire this season in September, losing 3-0.
Clarke said: “It was a day to forget.
“I made changes at half-time for different reasons. What could go wrong, went wrong.”
Stevenage, who were promoted from League Two the previous campaign, spent most of last season in the promotion chase before eventually finishing ninth.
Manager Steve Evans moved to Rotherham United in April and was replaced by his former coach Revell who took charge for a second time.
