More details on today's lunchtime kick-off against Burton Albion at Oakwell.
LINE-UPS
Barnsley (3-5-2): Gauci; de Gevigney, Pines, Earl; O’Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Gent; Humphrys, Keillor-Dunn.
Burton (3-5-2): Crocombe; Vancooten, Sweeney, Armer; Godwin-Malife, McKiernan, Chauke, Webster, Dodgson; Burrell, Bodvarsson.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out injured: Fabio Jalo (shoulder), Barry Cotter (ankle). Doubts: Mael de Gevigney (ankle), Neil Farrugia (thigh), Stephen Humphrys, Max Watters (ankle). Suspended: Marc Roberts. Burton: Doubt: Elliot Watt (back).
PREVIOUS MEETING
Barnsley were coming off the back off a 3-0 loss at Stevenage and a 7-0 drubbing at Manchester United in the EFL Cup in midweek. They were still not at their best, as an attack of Adam Phillips and Davis Keillor-Dunn as number tens behind Sam Cosgrove did not really work.
But they took the lead through Luca Connell’s excellent low free-kick from almost 30 yards. They conceded on 88 minutes when substitute Stephen Humphrys did not block a cross by ex-Red Tomas Kalinauskas and Jack Cooper-Love scored. But Humphrys made amends two minutes later, heading in his first goal for the club from a Corey O’Keeffe cross then celebrating in front of the joyous away end in thunder and lightning.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Dave Fletcher, BBC Derby
The transition has been absolutely remarkable. I don’t think I was alone in writing them off at Christmas. They looked dead and buried. Gary Bowyer changed the style, putting a lot more balls into the penalty area. He’s made three signings who have made a big impact in Owen Dodgson, who has been excellent, JJ McKiernan and the new king of Burton Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.
The connection between the players and the supporters had gone completely, when they were playing tippy tap football and losing every week, but it’s back now.
There is no question they can stay up now. The gap has gone from 11 to three in a blink of an eye.
They would certainly hope to make it four wins at Oakwell.
Because it’s an early kick-off, if they win they will be out of the bottom four.
KEY PLAYER
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson
The Icelandic striker has made a big impact since joining Burton this month, following a brief spell at Wrexham which was cancelled by mutual consent.
He scored on his full debut in the win at Wigan last week then added two more in a victory over Rotherham on Saturday. He also scored against former club Reading on Tuesday before strikepartner Rumarn Burrell netted twice as they made it three straight wins.
Bodvarsson has played against Barnsley 12 times, more than any other club in his career. He scored against them for Reading in 2017 then twice for Bolton in the 2022/23 season – including in a 3-0 win at Oakwell after being gifted the ball in the box by Robbie Cundy.
The 32-year-old has 64 caps for Iceland, starting as they famously knocked England out of Euro 2016, but has now become a journeyman striker in the EFL – having also played for Wolves and Millwall.
