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Preview: Barnsley vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship fixture between Barnsley and Nottingham Forest, including predictions, team news and lineups.

Two sides battling it out in the bottom half of the table come together on Saturday afternoon as Barnsley host Nottingham Forest at Oakwell.

Despite their league position, both teams have turned a corner of late and will be looking to continue that form in what could be viewed as an early-season six-pointer.

Before the international break, Barnsley swept Derby County aside in a 2-0 win, while Forest came out on top at home to Wycombe Wanderers.


Match preview

Alex Mowatt celebrates scoring for Barnsley against Watford on October 31, 2020© Reuters

Amidst rumours that the Tykes are pursuing Mario Balotelli, the roving Alex Mowatt and the energetic Conor Chaplin were both major influences as Barnsley overcame Derby County last time out, and the Yorkshire outfit will very much be seen as a team in form as they welcome Forest.

It was Chaplin that gave the Tykes the lead against the Rams, before Victor Adeboyejo made the win safe in the second half when he took a fine pass from Chaplin and curled his shot beyond Marshall to climb Barnsley up to 16th in the table.

For new boss Valerien Ismael, it was his third win in four games since taking over from Gerhard Struber as head coach, and he will be pleased with his side's performances of late.

Barnsley have now kept three clean sheets in their last four games and have kept eight clean sheets in their last 20, creating something of a foundation from which to propel themselves up the table.

They have also not lost a home league game in their last five matches and will be keen to get their noses in front early, having scored first in all eight of their last eight home wins.

Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton pictured on October 20, 2020© Reuters

Forest come into this fixture having won their last two matches, as Chris Hughton begins to turn more positive performances into points.

Hughton handed Lyle Taylor a rare start and was duly repaid as he netted twice to sink Wycombe Wanderers at the City Ground.

Forest are now up to 20th in the table and will feel as though they are heading in the right direction, and if they can overcome Barnsley, they will leapfrog the Yorkshire side.

Despite Barnsley's strong defensive form, Forest will feel they are likely to cause Ismael's men issues, having scored in 15 of their last 20 away games.

Barnsley Championship form: DDWWLW

Nottingham Forest Championship form: DDDLWW


Team News

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Ismael could have Jordan Williams and Romal Palmer back in contention as they recover from injuries.

The Tykes boss has also confirmed that Mike Bahre, who has been training with the Under-23s after falling totally out of favour, is out for several weeks with an abductor injury.

For Forest, Harry Arter missed two games with an ankle injury before returning to the squad against Coventry City. However, he has suffered another setback while on international duty and could miss out.

Lewis Grabban may prove his fitness in a bid to be recalled, and Samba Sow could be fit enough after a hamstring scare.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Walton; Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen; Frieser, Mowatt, James, Styles; Chaplin, Simoes; Adeboyejo

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Christie, McKenna, Figueiredo, Ribeiro; Sow, Colback; Knockaert, Ameobi, Lolley; Taylor


SM words green background

We say: Barnsley 1-1 Nottingham Forest

These two have seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks, and both will be desperate to start well after the international break. We see a draw being the most likely result, as though both sides will be eyeing three points, they are also likely to settle for just one.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win 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.Home/Away:data


ID:422697:cQx

Who will win the Championship clash between Barnsley and Nottingham Forest?

Barnsley
Draw
Nottingham Forest
Barnsley
54.3%
Draw
25.7%
Nottingham Forest
20.0%
70
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Derby County manager Phillip Cocu pictured on October 20, 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich158431914528
2Bournemouth157622516927
3Reading158342419527
4Bristol City158341915427
5Brentford157532213926
6Swansea CitySwansea157531710726
7Stoke CityStoke157442218425
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn1573529171224
9Watford146621811724
10Middlesbrough14662169724
11Luton TownLuton156451418-422
12Cardiff CityCardiff155552013720
13Millwall154831312120
14Barnsley155461717019
15Preston North EndPreston156182023-319
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield155371822-418
17Queens Park RangersQPR154561722-517
18Birmingham CityBirmingham153751114-316
19Coventry CityCoventry153571525-1014
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham153481420-613
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest15348917-813
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe15249721-1410
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds15366813-59
24Derby CountyDerby15159722-158

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