The Saddlers travel to Oakwell tomorrow evening...
BARNSLEY VS. WALSALL
Oakwell
Tuesday, 20th October 2015 (Kick-off 7.45pm)
Sky Bet League One
Oakwell
Tuesday, 20th October 2015 (Kick-off 7.45pm)
Sky Bet League One
OVERVIEW:
The Saddlers suffered a surprise defeat against Chesterfield on Saturday and will be hoping for an immediate response against Lee Johnson's Barnsley. Walsall, who are still unbeaten away from home, can reclaim top spot if they win and leaders Gillingham slip up against Scunthorpe. Opponents Barnsley are expected to challenge for the play-offs, although they have lost their last three league matches.
LEAGUE STANDINGS:
Barnsley: 17th – P12 W4 D2 L6 F16 A18 PTS 14
Walsall: 2nd – P13 W7 D4 L2 F19 A8 PTS25
LAST FIVE LEAGUE MATCHES: (Most recent match first)
Barnsley: LLLWD
Walsall: LWDWD
LAST TIME OUT:
Saturday, 17th October – Southend 2-1 Barnsley
Southend came from behind to condemn the Tykes to a sixth league loss of the campaign. Josh Scowen's penalty put Barnsley ahead, but two goals in seven first-half minutes from Anthony Wordsworth and Luke Prosser earned the Shrimpers victory.
Team: Davies, Roberts, Mawson, Nyatanga, Wabara (Harris 73’), Pearson, Crowley, Scowen, Smith, Watkins (Winnall 48’), Smith (Jackson 65’).
Subs not used: Bree, Townsend, Digby, White.
Saturday, 17th October – Walsall 1-2 Chesterfield
The Saddlers slipped off the League One summit after this surprise reverse. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Ian Evatt scored Chesterfield's goals, while Matt Preston netted Walsall's late consolation.
Team: Etheridge, Demetriou, Preston, Downing, Taylor (Morris 74’), Chambers, Mantom (Lalkovic 66’), Flanagan (Cook 45’), Henry, Sawyers, Bradshaw.
Subs not used: MacGillviray, Baxendale, Forde, Kinsella.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:
Barnsley wins: 15
Walsall wins: 15
Draws: 13
LAST MEETING:
Saturday, 7th March 2015 – Barnsley 3-0 Walsall
A brace from George Waring gave Barnsley a comfortable win when the two teams last met. Sam Winnall scored the Tykes' third goal in the closing stages.
BARNSLEY MANAGER:
Lee Johnson – The 34-year-old succeeded Danny Wilson at Oakwell in February 2015 and guided the Tykes to 11th last season. Johnson, the fourth youngest manager in the Football League, previously spent two years in charge of Oldham. He played as a midfielder for Yeovil, Bristol City and Kilmarnock, and is the son of Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson.
BARNSLEY STAR MAN:
Sam Winnall – Signed from Scunthorpe in July 2014, the 24-year-old striker is Barnsley's leading marksman with five goals in 16 appearances this term. Winnall finished as League Two's top scorer in 2013/14, scoring 23 goals as Scunthorpe won promotion. The former Wolves trainee has also played on loan at Burton, Hereford, Inverness and Shrewsbury.
VIEW FROM THE BARNSLEY CAMP: Lee Johnson (speaking after Saturday's defeat at Southend) - "After we scored we looked comfortable but we didn't see out the half. We need everyone to help us now because that's three losses on the spin in the league. We've got to make sure we go into our two home games with a positive mindset." Via barnsleyfc.co.uk
WALSALL TEAM NEWS:
James O'Connor (tight groin) and Andy Taylor (knee) are rated at 50:50. Neil Etheridge (stitches in his knee) and Sam Mantom (high ankle sprain) are doubts. Isaiah Osbourne (knee) is out.
REFEREE:
Scott Duncan (from Northumberland).
STAT OF THE DAY:
Walsall have not won a league match at Oakwell since April 1971 – a run stretching back eight games.
TOMORROW EVENING’S LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES: (7.45pm unless stated)
Blackpool vs. Millwall
Bradford vs. Bury
Burton vs. Crewe
Chesterfield vs. Southend
Colchester vs. Port Vale
Gillingham vs. Scunthorpe
Peterborough vs. Wigan
Rochdale vs. Coventry
Sheff Utd vs. Fleetwood
Shrewsbury vs. Doncaster
Swindon vs. Oldham