MX23RW : Friday, March 29 08:43:23| >> :120:72843:72843:
[monks data]
Barnsley
Championship | Gameweek 35
Feb 26, 2022 at 3pm UK
Oakwell
Middlesbrough logo

Barnsley
3 - 2
Middlesbrough

Andersen (7'), Bassi (16', 54')
Vita (62'), Kitching (72'), Collins (79')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Sporar (61' pen.), Kitching (90+5' og.)

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Barnsley and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Middlesbrough head into Saturday's fixture at Barnsley looking for the win which may move the club into the Championship playoff places.

Having prevailed in two of their last three fixtures, the bottom-of-the-table hosts now sit nine points adrift of safety with a game in hand.


Match preview

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder on February 4, 2022© Reuters

When Middlesbrough went behind against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening, the North-East side were facing the prospect of losing back-to-back games in the Championship for the first time since November 2.

However, Chris Wilder's side rallied during the second half, with goals from Paddy McNair and Marcus Tavernier keeping Boro within touching distance of the top three.

While other clubs will also have a say in the promotion race, Middlesbrough have at least one game in hand on the teams occupying third to fifth, leaving their fate in their own hands.

Wilder will insist that he plans to take one fixture at a time, but he also needs to be aware of the bigger picture with his team having put together an inconsistent run over the past five weeks.

On the plus side, Middlesbrough have scored 10 times in four Championship fixtures, by far their best return over such a period this season.

Barnsley manager Poya Asbaghi celebrates after the match on February 12, 2022© Reuters

Barnsley's two victories in three games is also their most productive effort of the campaign, breathing new life into their bid to remain in the second tier.

Reading's own resurgence has come at the wrong time for the Tykes, but head coach Poya Asbaghi will be hugely encouraged by their victories over Queens Park Rangers and Hull City.

Carlton Morris has established himself as a key player in recent weeks with the striker having contributed two goals and an assist during his last four appearances.

Providing that Barnsley can build on having conceded just five goals in six league matches, Asbaghi and the club's supporters will not be ready to give up in their quest to pull off a miraculous survival bid.

Barnsley Championship form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Barnsley form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Middlesbrough Championship form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W



Team News

Middlesbrough's Duncan Watmore with teammates celebrate after Matt Crooks scores their first goal on February 4, 2022© Reuters

Barring any injury issues, Asbaghi may choose to stick with the Barnsley starting lineup from the meeting with Hull.

Callum Brittain and Josh Benson are most likely to come into the team if Asbaghi opts to freshen up his first XI, but Cauley Woodrow remains absent with a knee injury.

Wilder will almost certainly make at least two alterations to his Boro side after they took time to get going against West Brom.

Andraz Sporar and Duncan Watmore seem likely to replace Aaron Connolly and Folarin Balogun in attack, but Matt Crooks serves the last of a two-game ban.

That will allow Riley McGree to continue in midfield, with the rest of the side potentially staying the same.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Williams, Helik, Andersen, Vita; Gomes, Wolfe; Styles, Bassi, Quina; Morris

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, McGree, Howson, Tavernier, Taylor; Watmore, Sporar


SM words green background

We say: Barnsley 1-2 Middlesbrough

With Barnsley producing their best results of the season, this game should be a lot more competitive than it might have been several weeks ago. Nevertheless, that does not stop us from predicting a narrow win, albeit by a narrow scoreline.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



ID:478966:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9908:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Middlesbrough win with a probability of 41.85%. A win for Barnsley had a probability of 29.68% and a draw had a probability of 28.5%.

The most likely scoreline for a Middlesbrough win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.15%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.22%) and 0-2 (8.2%). The likeliest Barnsley win was 1-0 (10.56%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.18%). The actual scoreline of 3-2 was predicted with a 1.4% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Barnsley vs Middlesbrough

Barnsley
22.2%
Draw
16.7%
Middlesbrough
61.1%
18
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 12, 2022
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Fulham vs. Huddersfield
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!