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

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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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Championship

Leicester 1 - 0 Barnsley

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Matty Fryatt's second-half goal gave Leicester victory and left winless Barnsley bottom of the Championship.The Foxes went closest to scoring in an open first half when Lloyd Dyer rode two challenges and fired just wide. 
Barnsley threatened through Martin Devaney's long-range shot before Fryatt opened the scoring, latching on to a Richie Wellens pass and slotting home. 
By now, Leicester were dominating but the Tykes almost snatched an unlikely equaliser when Rob Kozluk fired wide.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson:

"It was a tough game in many ways but I thought we thoroughly deserved our win."

Barnsley boss Simon Davey:
"Defeat is very disappointing. I thought there was very little between the teams."

Reading 1 - 3 Sheff Utd

An error by Reading keeper Adam Federici helped Sheffield United come from a goal down to beat the Royals.
Matthew Mills headed the home side in front but Stephen Quinn equalised when he side-footed in after Reading failed to clear their lines. 
Gylfi Sigurdsson's drive hit the post for Reading before Federici let Jamie Ward's speculative 25-yard shot through his grasp and into the goal. 
David Cotterill arrowed in a strike to seal victory for the Blades. 
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"We created some lovely goals and we looked a good side at times. It could have been five or six. Apart from a 20-minute spell when Reading scored we were dominant.
Reading boss Brendan Rodgers:
"I understand the fans' frustrations. They want to see their team winning and have just come to an end of a five-year cycle which brought much success.
www.bbc.co.uk