Preview: Barnsley vs. Barrow - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship strugglers Barnsley will hope for some respite from their relegation battle when they host League Two outfit Barrow in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Tykes are currently 23rd in the second tier and eight points adrift of safety, while the Bluebirds are four points above the drop zone in the fourth tier, placing 19th.

Match preview

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These two sides were regular opponents in the lower divisions in the 1950s and 60s, but have not faced each other since January 1970.

After finishing in the Championship playoffs last season, Barnsley look deep in trouble this year and have won just two of 25 matches in all competitions; both victories have come on home turf.

Poya Asbaghi replaced Markus Schopp in the dugout in November but has failed to win any of his first six matches in charge.

The Tykes were last in action on December 29 when they lost 2-1 away at high-flying Blackburn Rovers despite having 59% possession.

Barnsley were winners of the FA Cup in 1912 and have progressed past round three in each of the last two campaigns.

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Barrow meanwhile hold the competition record for the most appearances in the third round without ever making it to round four.

This is the club's first appearance at this stage since 2017 after knocking out seventh-tier side Banbury United in round one and League One outfit Ipswich Town in round two.

Mark Cooper's men were beaten 2-1 by Bradford City on New Year's Day and have taken just two victories from their last 10 matches.

The Bluebirds have won just twice away from home all season and one of those occasions was the round one triumph over Banbury.

Team News

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Barnsley boss Asbaghi claims that the Tykes have around 10 players currently unavailable either due to injury or Covid-19.

Michal Helik was forced off against Blackburn last time out and is sidelined, while Cauley Woodrow, Aapo Halme and Obbi Oulare are also injured. If Asbaghi rings the changes, Bayern Munich loanee Remy Vita could finally be handed his long-awaited debut at left-back.

Barrow striker Josh Gordon scored his sixth goal of the season against Bradford last weekend, but is now set for a spell on the sidelines with a calf injury. Robbie Gotts (groin) and Joe Grayson (Achilles) will also be absent through injury, but Offrande Zanzala could return after missing the New Year's Day fixture.

Bluebirds top goalscorer Ollie Banks is the son of Ian Banks, who made 260 league appearances for Barnsley across two separate spells in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Will Harris has joined Mark Cooper's side on loan from Sunderland and could make his debut at Oakwell.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Walton; Andersen, Moon, Kitching; J. Williams, Hondermarck, Gomes, Vita; Iseka, Cole, Oduor

Barrow possible starting lineup:

Farman; Brown, Arthur, Platt, Ellis, Brough; Stevens, White, Banks, Kay; Zanzala

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Barrow

There is definitely potential for an upset in this tie given Barnsley's atrocious season so far and current squad issues. If it was being played at Holker Street we would fancy a Barrow win, but we think that the game will finish level after 90 minutes before the Tykes squeeze through in extra time.