Preview: Barnsley vs Rotherham United - prediction, team news, lineups

A place in the third round of the EFL Cup will be on the line as Barnsley welcome Rotherham United to Oakwell this Tuesday night.

The Tykes will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, while the Millers will be hoping to progress past the second round of this competition for the first time in almost two decades.

Match preview

Barnsley were pushed all the way by League Two’s Fleetwood Town in the first round of the EFL Cup, requiring a penalty shootout to progress.

After successfully navigating the first hurdle, the Tykes will now be hoping to progress further as they look for their first significant cup run in years.

The hosts have not advanced past the fourth round of the EFL Cup since a quarter-final run in 1982. In fact, you could argue that Barnsley’s last memorable run in a cup competition was back in 2016, when the club won the EFL Trophy.

In order to reach the third round on Tuesday, Conor Hourihane’s men will have to shake off Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in League One – their first loss of the season.

Rotherham, on the other hand, will head to Oakwell on the back of a somewhat frustrating 2-2 draw against Wigan Athletic.

The Millers were 2-1 up heading into the final minutes, until a Paul Mullin equaliser ended their hopes of a second League One win.

Matt Hamshaw and his men now turn their attention to cup duties this Tuesday night as they look to end the club’s 17-year wait for a third round EFL Cup appearance.

Rotherham, who needed penalties in order to get through League Two’s Salford in the previous round, will need a much-improved performance if they are to progress.

Barnsley EFL Cup form:

Barnsley form (all competitions):

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Rotherham United EFL Cup form:

Rotherham United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Barnsley head into Tuesday’s cup fixture without Marc Roberts, who remains on the sidelines with an injury and is expected to be out for at least another month.

Head coach Hourihane recently confirmed that both Fabio Jalo and Georgie Gent are still a couple of months away from returning.

Rotherham boss Hamshaw, meanwhile, had to reassure fans by revealing that Marvin Kaleta’s first start for the Millers was ended prematurely due to fatigue.

The wing-back played for a solid 65 minutes before being substituted – a change that raised questions over a possible injury.

Jordan Hugill was taken off at half time against Wigan, but once again, fatigue was the reason for the change as Hamshaw looked to protect the influential 33-year-old.

Barnsley possible starting lineup: Cooper; Ogbeta, Earl, Shepherd, Watson; Kelly, Connell; Keillor-Dunn, Phillips, Vickers; McGoldrick

Rotherham United possible starting lineup: Dawson; James, Raggett, Rafferty; Kelly; Powell, Gore, Kaleta, Hall; Etete, Sherif

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Rotherham United

Rotherham have seen a number of new signings come through the door in recent weeks, and the Millers may need time before they can fire on all cylinders.

Barnsley, on the other hand, are strong at home, and we are backing them to return to winning ways at Oakwell.

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