Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s League One clash between Barnsley and Reading, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two sides level on points in the top half of the League One standings go head to head as Barnsley play host to Reading on Tuesday evening.
The Royals journey to the Oakwell Stadium where they are unbeaten in each of their last 11 visits since December 2008 and will be looking to extend this impressive streak.
Match preview
Barnsley were guilty of a lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch on Saturday when they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Wigan Athletic at the Oakwell Stadium.
After falling behind to Thelo Aasgaard‘s 42nd-minute strike, the Tykes fired 16 shots after the break as they searched for a way back into the game but Wigan held their own to see out their fourth league win of the campaign.
Prior to that, Barnsley were on a three-game unbeaten run across all competitions, picking up one draw and two wins, including a 3-1 victory over League Two outfit Port Vale in the FA Cup first round on November 2.
Darrell Clarke‘s men have won seven of their 16 League One matches so far while losing four and claiming five draws to collect 26 points and sit sixth in the standings, level on points with Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Bolton Wanderers and Reading.
While Barnsley will be looking to find their feet on Tuesday, recent results against the visitors offer little optimism as they have failed to win 17 of the last 20 meetings between the teams, losing 10 and claiming three draws since December 2008.
© Imago
Reading, on the other hand, picked up just their second away win of the season at the weekend as they edged out Peterborough United 2-1 when the sides met at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Harvey Knibbs continued his fine form in front of goal as he netted a brace to put the hosts two goals up inside the opening 23 minutes before Emmanuel Fernandez struck in the 96th minute to give the home fans something to cheer.
This followed a 3-0 victory over League Two side Newport County at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on November 12, when Knibbs netted on either side of Jayden Wareham‘s 75th-minute strike to send Reading into second-place in Group H of the EFL Trophy.
With Saturday’s result against Peterborough, Ruben Selles‘s men are now unbeaten in five of their most recent six League One games — picking up four wins and one draw — a run which has seen them surge into the top half of the table as they look to finish in the top six this season.
Reading have won eight of their 15 league matches so far, exactly half of their total tally from last season, when they finished 17th in the standings, level on 53 points with 16th-placed Charlton Athletic and nine points above the drop zone.
Barnsley League One form:
Barnsley form (all competitions):
Reading League One form:
Reading form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Barnsley remain without the services of 24-year-old midfielder Josh Benson, who is set to sit out his fifth straight game since coming off injured against Doncaster Rovers in October.
Former Cardiff City man Max Watters missed the game against Wigan last against Wigan at the weekend through injury and the 25-year-old is a doubt for the home side.
As for Reading, Ghanaian defender Andy Yiadom continues his journey to full fitness since picking up a severe injury in April while fellow countryman Kelvin Abrefa has been ruled out since coming off injured in October’s game against Rotherham United.
English midfielder Kelvin Ehibhatiom has missed the last six games and is also out of contention for the Royals while Harlee Dean has been sidelined since picking up an injury against Stockport County on October 29.
With his brace against Peterborough, Knibbs has now scored five goals in his last three matches and the 25-year-old should lead the visitors’ attack once again, alongside Sam Smith and Chen Campbell.
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Killip; De Gevigney, Roberts; Earl, O’Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Gent, Humphrys; Keillor-Dunn
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Elliot, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Smith, Knibbs
We say: Barnsley 1-1 Reading
Barnsley and Reading have enjoyed a solid league campaign so far and find themselves level on points in the top half of the table. While they will be looking to get the better of each other, we predict the spoils will be shared at the Oakwell Stadium.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
