Barnsley - Norwich

Barnsley are a decent host at Oakwell, with 8 wins, five draws and three defeats against top sides Burnley, Cardiff and Leicester. However, they’re in the middle with same distance from play-off and relegation zone and very likely will finish at the same place. Despite their good result at Leeds for the weekend, their recent shape isn’t something special (two points of possible 12). Just two wins out of last eight games in the league, against poor Preston and Donny. Skipper Foster and midfielder Colace will remain sidelined. Another two midfielders, Doyle and Mellis will face a fitness test.

Norwich are flying high at 5th position, they lost just one game of last 12 and their play-off ambitions looks reasonable. However, they only drew at home in midweek encounter against Donny which was everything but expected. Seventh Leicester have an easy game against Coventry at home and Norwich needs the points to keep the distance. They haven’t lost against Barnsley in last 10 occasions (both at home and away) and despite I don’t pay too much attention on history results, this record could have a serious affect on the self-confidence (of both sides). No injury worries for Paul Lambert.

Usually I have some problems to opposite Barnsley at Oakwell, but this time really fancy Norwich to bounce back and win. Bigger ambitions, more motivation, better shape and surely better squad. I’m pretty sure they won’t lose.

Bet: Norwich 0.0
Odd: 1.88 Canbet
Stake: 8/10
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Barnsley - Burnley

Interesting odds for this game. Barnsley, beside the decent home record through the seasons, are performing well recently. They have four wins of last five encounters (one draw) and kept a clean sheet in last three. They haven’t lost on Boxing Day since 2002. Only problem is missing of striker Gary O’Connor whose loan deal has expired.

Burnley, oppositely from the hosts, have a pretty miserable record on the road. This season it’s not better as they’re the only club that hasn’t noticed away win (6 draws and 3 defeats). They’ve conceded in every of last eight games and haven’t won at Boxing Day since 2005. And Oakwell is the hell place for the Clarets as they haven’t won there for about 79 years (last time it was in April 1932)!

I see this bet as a pure logic. 2-0 correct score.

Bet: Barnsley 0.0
Odd: 1.98 188 bet
Stake: 9/10

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Barnsley - Watford

Will try to be short as it’s possible. The Tykes are in a great run with three consecutive wins, Preston and Ipswich (both away) and in last round won over Pompey at home. At Oakwell, their form is generally good (as always), five wins, two draws and two defeats. Barnsley won last four home games against Watford. Today will be without suspended midfielder, Nathan Doyle.

Before the start of the season, I predicted Watford will be one of the teams that will fight for avoiding relegation. Surprisingly good results launched them into the top half of the table, but lately they’re losing the breath. They’re winless in six league games and have noticed four away defeats in a row. At Oakwell, won just once in past 16 years. Skipper, John Eustace, has served his suspension and returns into contention.

Team morale will be opposite. With home ground and slight difference in quality, it should be enough of advantage for the home side. I expect a tough game (goals are likely), but home win at the end.

 

Bet: Barnsley -0.25
Odd: 2.10 various
Stake: 8/10

More to follow... 
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Barnsley - Sheffield United

Changing the manager now seems as an excellent move for Barnsley’s chairman Patrick Cryne. New man in charge, Mark Robins, brought some improvement, new players on-loan deals and team has been noticing good run of results and escape from a danger zone. They have four wins in last six Championship rounds. In one moment, they had three competitive defeats in a row (Nottingham Forest 0-1 away, Bristol City 2-3 home and Man.Utd. 2-0 away in the cup game), but successfully got back on track with last weekend’s win on the road against Peterborough (2-1). Although they used to be the strugglers (in last three Championship seasons ended as 20^th, 18^th and 20^th), they’re also known as a good home team and they have been noticing much better results at their Oakwell. Boss Robins will be without defender and skipper, Stephen Foster, while all others are fit and available.

 

This season so far looks as a nightmare for the lads from Bramall Lane. During the transfer market, team management kept almost the same squad from previous season and Blades were in the group of serious contenders for promotion. Then started problems with injuries that caused a worst run of results in past decade. United are seven games without a win (five defeats and two draws) and four consecutive defeats on the road. Currently, manager Kevin Blackwell struggling to put a team together! He asked for permission for additional number of on-loan players, but was refused from Football Association. Things went even worse last weekend as defender, skipper and a rock in defense line (defense that btw. conceded 17 goals in mentioned seven games), Chris Morgan got a suspension in home 0-1 defeat against Newcastle. Also, another two defenders, Kyle Walker and Jordan Stewart have joined the injury list. Blackwell will likely set his, last season favorite, 4-5-1 formation with alone Henderson in front.

 

High odds for home win definitely have the value. Away side has advantages only in club’s reputation and in statistics that say Blades haven’t suffered a defeat from Barnsley in last six encounters. Home side is respectable opponent to all league squads and their shape is going in raising path. I’ll cover a draw just because it isn’t a weekend game. So, 1 dnb.

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Sheffield United - Barnsley

Birmingham and Wolves played a great game previous night. Best defence took a victory against best attack. Both goals will be remembered for a while (especially first), brutal challenge by Lee Carsley, too. Derby filled my expectations. It seems first two places are clear, will see what Blades have to say about that. So...

Sheffield United definitely overcame februar crisis. Five wins and two draws from last seven games. Boss Kevin Blackwell is the best manager of March, United caught Reading on the table. Six points behind Birmingham, maybe three after the game. In the last round, they eliminated Ipswich Town (2-0 at home) from play-off race. Home side was dominating entire game and with the goals by Greg Halford and Darius Henderson got an easy victory. It looked like lads played with half of strength. Seven points more than 7th Preston North End (and a game less), no pressure. Young midfielder John-Joe O'Toole have some knee problems, played just 15 minutes against Ipswich and he's under the question mark. No other worries for Blackwell, he's expected to name unchanged eleven.

On the other side, neighbours are fighting to avoid dropping in Leauge One. Three points above the line, but a game or two less than the opponents. A win (Crystal Palace 3-1 at home) and two draws (Derby County 0-0 away and Nottingham Forest 1-1 at home) from last three games. At the last game on Oakwell, Barnsley took a lead at the start of second half, then start playing very comfortable, even missing a penalty. Eagles used it and scored from only goal opportunity. Two points are gone. Their away shape doesn't look good. Four wins, three draws and eleven defeats from eighteen games, with just twelve(12) scored goals! Their chance can be underestimating by the hosts. Liverpool loan Adam Hammill is fit. No worries for Simon Davey, best eleven will play.

Only things that worry me are mentioned underestimating and result of Birm.-Wolv. game. Beside the both sides are from Yorkshire, I can't see why this game should be called derby. Don't believe the excellent run of results by home side can be stopped by weak Barnsley. Betfair offers more than decent 1.76 for home win, Pinnacle 1.70. Home win and gamble on handicap.

"Ferguson cautious of Porto threat". Yeah, sure. Odds for Utd.'s win against Porto are miserable.  Another handicap for me, with small stake.

Barnsley - Crystal Palace

Barnsley lost their game against direct rival, Blackpool 0:1 at home and drop under the line for relegation. At saturday,they had no play or goal opportunities, conceded a goal in 70.min and till the end just two half-attempts by Adam Hammill. Some new players joined the club in January. It resulted with seven points from three games. After that, they lost the breath and in the next three games just one point. The good thing is they have three games less than the others, so situation still isn't dramatic. Boss Simon Davey said:"This situation is nothing new to us. It is not nice but it is not new. We are fine." He also, promised the changes in team. He can't count on midfielder Diego Leon who is injured, while iranian midfielder Andranik Teymourian and defender Stephen Foster are suspended.

Eagles surprisingly defeated Swansea, at saturday 3:1 away, and confirmed the impression they can play only very good or very bad. After the hosts hit the post, Palace woke up and took a lead with Victor Moses goal, Jose Fonte increased the different and in stoppage time Shefki Kuqi scored third. They're in the safe middle, ten points from play-off and the same from relegation. They look in very good mood, but the question is luck of motivation. Palace will again be without key defender Claude Davis when they travel to Oakwell tonight.

Eagles are very unpredictable, but I don't think they can win on the road twice in a row. Reds feel fire under the feet. Another bad performance will put their head on the block. I expect their full aggression from the first whistle. Bookies see them as outsiders and offer big odd, about 2.60. I take it and my money goes on home win!