Barnsley play host to Crawley Town on Saturday afternoon looking to record their fourth successive victory in League One.
At a time when the Tykes sit in sixth position in the table, Crawley are down in 21st spot, albeit with at least one game in hand.
Match preview
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Having rarely put together successive wins together all season, Barnsley have been well off the pace given the expectations before the campaign.
However, three victories in a row and four from their last five have led to the Tykes now moving into sixth spot with a five-point cushion over eighth place.
Clean sheets remain in short supply with the last shutout coming back in November 8, yet Darrell Clarke will be delighted with how his side are getting points on the board.
On the back of away successes at Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United, Barnsley recorded an eye-catching 2-1 victory over third-placed Wrexham on New Year's Day.
Remarkably, that was only the third league win that Barnsley have posted at Oakwell in the league this season, something which must improve if they wish to maintain this push for the playoffs.
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As for Crawley, they have an unforeseen break from action earlier this week as their fixture with Charlton Athletic was postponed.
That has given Rob Elliot longer to stew over failing to convert a 4-1 lead at Exeter City in their previous fixture, eventually recording a 4-4 draw.
A total of 12 goals have been shipped in their last four third-tier outings, Crawley now possessing the fourth-worst defensive record in the division despite playing one fewer game than the three teams who have conceded more.
On a positive note, Crawley can currently move outside of the relegation zone if they win their game in time, placing extra emphasis on this contest as they bid to stay in touching distance of the teams above them.
Team News
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Barring any fresh injury issues, Clarke may be prepared to name the same Barnsley XI that started the win over Wrexham.
Donovan Pines and Stephen Humphrys are most likely to come into the team if there is a change having been introduced shortly after half time versus the Welsh outfit.
Josh Earl and Max Watters were replaced on that occasion and could plausibly drop out.
With Crawley 4-1 ahead at Exeter prior to any substitutions being made, the expectation is that the same starting lineup will be selected for this fixture.
Junior Quitirna came back into the team to score his fifth goal of the season and should start again having gotten 59 minutes in the tank.
Ronan Darcy appears likely to remain out of the side ahead of a potential exit in January.
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Killip; Gevigney, McCarthy, Earl; O'Keeffe, Phillips, Connell, Russell, Cotter; Keillor-Dunn, Watters
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Mullarkey, Conroy, Barker; Ibrahim, Quitirna, Kelly, Anderson, Camara; Swan; Showunmi
We say: Barnsley 3-1 Crawley Town
With Crawley having had an extended rest period ahead of this game, it remains to be seen whether it could work in their favour. Nevertheless, we are backing Barnsley to come through in relatively comfortable fashion, even if they concede to the struggling away side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
