Preview: Burton Albion vs Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Both looking to avoid back-to-back defeats, Burton Albion and Barnsley clash at the Pirelli Stadium for a League One match on Friday.

The Brewers suffered a last-minute loss at the base of Blackpool last time out, whilst the Reds were conquered at their Oakwell home by Doncaster Rovers.

Match preview

After their relegation from the Championship in the 2017-18 season, Burton Albion have gradually slumped towards the bottom of League One, with Friday's hosts fighting to avoid fourth-tier football for the first time since 2015.

The Brewers' survival hopes took a major hit last Saturday afternoon, when a 91st-minute strike from centre-back CJ Hamilton secured maximum points for Blackpool at Bloomfield Road for Ian Evatt's troops.

Winning just two of their past seven third-tier fixtures (D1 L4), Gary Bowyer's are becoming part of the relegation conversation with six matches left to play, sitting only three points above 21st-placed Exeter City in the League One table.

Collecting three points from as many home matches recently, Burton are not enjoying sensational form at the Pirelli Stadium, although they did beat promotion-chasing Bradford City in the Midlands over a week ago.

Playing 90 minutes against his former employers on the seaside last weekend, ex-Blackpool attacker Jake Beesley has netted 13 League One goals this term, enjoying his best attacking campaign since bagging 20 strikes from Bradford Park Avenue in 2018-19.

© Iconsport / SPI

Unless they can take advantage of their considerable number of games in hand, Barnsley are hurtling towards their lowest league finish in over 15 years, signalling a difficult period at Oakwell for the former Premier League club.

The Tykes extended their winless run to a worrying four matches (D3 L1) last time out, when ex-Wrexham hero Elliot Lee held his nerve from 12 yards out to fire Doncaster to a narrow success in Yorkshire.

Tasting victory in just one of their past six third-tier contests, Barnsley are not operating like a potential playoff contender right now and lie 11 points behind sixth-placed Reading who have played three more games.

With just three of their last 10 matches before the end of the regular season arriving at Oakwell, the Reds need to improve their woeful away form, with Friday's visitors winning only one of their past 10 competitive fixtures on the road.

Focusing on the positives for the moment, Barnsley possess a good recent record versus Burton, who have failed to win this fixture in their past five attempts (D1 L4), with the Tykes victorious in the reverse fixture on August 9.

Burton Albion League One form:

Barnsley League One form:

Team News

© Iconsport / MARTIN DALTON / Alamy

After failing to find the net at Blackpool last weekend, Burton could make some changes in attack, with former Coventry City man Fabio Tavares pushing for a start.

A regular over the past two seasons for the Brewers, youngster Kgaogelo Chauke is also hoping to make an appearance from the off at the Pirelli Stadium.

Also firing a blank in their most recent fixture, Barnsley could drop attacking midfielder Scott Banks to the bench.

The spots of Reyes Cleary and David McGoldrick are likely safe, though, especially considering that David Keillor-Dunn is no longer at the club.

Largely impressive despite defeat to Doncaster, centre-back pairing Eoghan O'Connell and Jack Shephard will continue on Friday.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Collins; Godwin-Malife; Moon, Hartridge; Lofthouse, Krubally, Evans, Sibbick, Cannon; Tavares, Beesley

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Goodman; O'Keeffe, O'Connell, Shephard, Watson; Kelly, Connell, Phillips, Bland, Cleary; McGoldrick

We say: Burton Albion 1-1 Barnsley

Running out of opportunities to catch up with the top six, Barnsley need to address their concerning away form at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday.

After beating Bradford at home last month, the Brewers will be confident of earning at least a point from a clash with the Reds.

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