Preview: Barnsley vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Barnsley play host to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten streak in League One to five matches.

At a time when the Tykes sit in sixth position in the standings, Charlton are down in 14th spot after failing to win any of their last five outings.

Match preview

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Given the level of change during the summer, Barnsley were never realistically going to make a seamless transition back to playing League One football.

However, Michael Duff can be satisfied with his team's efforts, the Tykes having 14 points from nine games and possessing a four-match unbeaten run.

A recent home draw to Port Vale came as a disappointment, but seven points from away fixtures at Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Cambridge United is a return which exceeded expectations.

The challenge now is to build on those results at Oakwell with Barnsley winless in their last two league outings at their Yorkshire home.

That said, Duff's side did post a 2-0 win at home to Newcastle United Under-21s in midweek, building further momentum ahead of another testing fixture in the league.

From Charlton's perspective, that momentum is lacking having gone five matches without recording maximum points in the third tier.

Ben Garner's have twice come from behind to earn a share of the spoils during that time, like they did away at Fleetwood Town last weekend.

Nevertheless, the Addicks are currently on the second longest winless streak in the division, and Garner knows that he requires a response from his team over the coming weeks.

Charlton have also failed to win any of their five away fixtures with all but three of their 11 points this term coming at The Valley.

Team News

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Barnsley will be without goalkeeper Brad Collins after he suffered a broken nose in the win at Cambridge United last weekend.

Jamie Searle will deputise in his absence, while Conor McCarthy should replace Liam Kitching in the back three with the latter serving a one-game ban.

Meanwhile, Ryan Inniss is available for Charlton after serving a one-match suspension of his own and could take the spot of Sam Lavelle in the centre of defence.

Second-choice goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray will deputise between the sticks with Joe Wollacott on international duty with Ghana.

Despite having netted his third League One goal of the campaign, 18-year-old Miles Leaburn may remain among the Charlton substitutes.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Searle; Cundy, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Kane, Wolfe, Edwards; Thomas, Aitchison; Cole

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

MacGillivray; Clare, Inniss, O'Connell, Clayden; Payne, Dobson, Fraser; Rak-Sakyi, Stockley, Blackett-Taylor

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Barnsley have been far more impressive on their travels of late, something which will not be lost on a Charlton side who are used to claiming draws. That said, we have to back Duff's side to prevail, potentially by the odd goal in three in what should prove to be a competitive contest at Oakwell.

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