Preview: Barnsley vs. Exeter City

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Barnsley and Exeter City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Barnsley play host to Exeter City on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to maintain their push for an automatic promotion spot in League One.

At a time when the Tykes sit in fifth position in the standings, the visitors are down in 19th place despite their recent upturn in fortunes.

Match preview
© Reuters

After a slow start to the campaign, Barnsley have not always been regarded as automatic promotion contenders, but expectations have now changed at Oakwell.

Since November 25, just one defeat has been posted in 12 matches in all competitions, that loss coming in the EFL Trophy, and Neill Collins’s side are now 11 games unbeaten in League One.

Seven victories and four defeats have been posted during that period, including their ongoing three-match winning streak with their last triumph coming at rivals Oxford United.

As a result, the Tykes are now three points clear of their most recent opponents, who are sixth, and within four points of leaders Portsmouth with a match in hand.

Collins’s team have also not suffered a home league defeat since September 30, a run that stretches eight fixtures, and there will be optimism that it can be further extended.

From Exeter’s perspective, they have managed to rally in recent games, putting together a seven-point haul from four matches to boost their efforts to avoid relegation.

For a team that sit just four points clear of the bottom four, it is commendable that Exeter have not suffered back-to-back defeats in League One since November 25.

Nevertheless, Gary Caldwell is aware that he must keep things ticking over to remain in a job, a total of 33 defeats having coming from his 69 games at the helm.

While Exeter have lost nine of their 14 away league fixtures this season, they have also prevailed on four occasions, including last time out as they defeated Bristol Rovers by a 1-0 scoreline.

Barnsley League One form:

Exeter City League One form:

Team News
While Collins may consider introducing Sam Cosgrove for Adam Phillips, like he did at half time at Oxford, there is more chance of the same Barnsley XI being selected.

Luca Connell could be recalled to the squad if he has overcome illness, but Callum Styles is on the verge of moving to another club and will not be considered.

As for Exeter, Ben Purrington will miss out due to a leg injury, but Caldwell has revealed that he suffered no fracture during the incident at Bristol Rovers.

Zak Jules will move to left wing-back, with Alex Hartridge in line to come back into the team in the back three.

Barring any further issues, the remainder of the team could stay the same.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Roberts; Williams, Gevigney, Shepherd; O’Keeffe, Phillips, Russell, Kane, Cadden; McAtee, Cole

Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Sinisalo; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Niskanen, Cole, Carroll, Jules; Aitchison, Harris; Cox

We say: Barnsley 2-1 Exeter City
Exeter’s success at Bristol Rovers can only have lifted spirits ahead of another away fixture, yet they are facing one of the form teams in the division. A competitive encounter may play out, yet we cannot back against Barnsley running out victors come the full-time whistle.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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