Barnsley have emerged as a surprise contender for the play-off spots in the Championship this season. The sixth-place Tykes can consolidate their position in the leagues top-six when they welcome Derby County to Oakwell on Wednesday night.
The Yorkshire outfit has built their play-off bid on a run of seven straight league wins. Last time out, Valerian Ismael’s team recorded a 1-0 win over Birmingham City at Oakwell.
The victory means that Barnsley are a point ahead of seventh-place Bournemouth, with a game in hand, in the fight for those all-important top-six spots.
The home side has been relatively prolific in front of goal of late in the English second tier, having scored at least two goals in three of their last four league outings.
The Tykes have also been in strong recent home form in the Championship of late, as they have won seven of their previous nine league games at Oakwell, including their last four.
While Barnsley are trying to get out of the Championship, Derby County are still attempting to preserve their place in the English second tier for next season. The Rams are currently six points clear of the relegation zone, although 22nd place Rotherham have two games in-hand on County.
Wayne Rooney’s team head into this clash on the back of a poor run of league form, as they have won once in five Championship matches, having suffered three defeats in the process.
A lack of clean sheets has been a big problem for Derby of late, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Championship outings.
The Rams recent away form in the league has done little to help relieve the worries of relegation, as the visitors have lost four of their last five away matches.
Forebet predicts that Barnsley’s recent good form will continue in this clash, with the Tykes recording a victory in a high-scoring encounter.