Preview: Barnsley vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Blackburn Rovers make the trip to Oakwell to face Barnsley with the opportunity to move into the top six of the Championship table.

Despite only losing two of their opening seven fixtures, the Tykes head into Saturday's contest sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Having blown a two-goal lead against Luton Town in their previous match, Blackburn were under pressure to make amends when they hosted Hull City on Tuesday night.

On paper, the encounter with the division's worst-performing attack was ideal, and Rovers ultimately proved that to be the case with a 2-0 victory.

Both goals came shortly after the hour mark, Ben Brereton Diaz capitalising on being given permission to play by Chile with his fourth strike of the campaign.

With a couple of new signings still to be fully integrated into the squad, there is reason for Rovers supporters to be optimistic given the improvements which have been made since the back end of last season.

Nevertheless, Tony Mowbray will recognise that their next fixture is another which they need to be winning if they want to be taken seriously in the top half of the table.

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Barnsley have endured some difficult matches of late, the most recent being a trip to Stoke City on Wednesday evening with a 1-1 draw being collected at the bet365 Stadium.

Despite tensions running high both on and off the pitch, it was a notable show of character on the back of losing convincingly at Bournemouth four days earlier.

Question marks remain over whether Markus Schopp will be a success in the dugout, but judgement should only be made once Barnsley have come through their next set of fixtures.

Although Schopp will be relatively satisfied with their efforts in defence, he will demand a better return in the final third with just six goals coming in seven outings.

Team News

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Given the intensity of Wednesday's encounter in the Potteries, Schopp could opt to freshen up his Barnsley XI.

Victor Adeboyejo is an option in the final third, potentially as a replacement for Aaron Leya Iseka, while Manchester City loanee Claudio Gomes may be handed a chance in midfield.

Ben Williams and Obbi Oulare could come into contention, but Josh Benson again misses out due to coronavirus.

With an extra day of recovery, Mowbray may be prepared to stick with the same Blackburn starting lineup from the Hull fixture.

However, John Buckley and Leighton Clarkson were both withdrawn early in the second half, and a reshuffle could lead to Reda Khadra being handed a first start.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Halme, Helik, Moon; Sibbick, Palmer, Brittain, Styles; Woodrow, Adeboyejo; Frieser

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Pickering; Clarkson, Travis; Dolan, Rothwell, Khadra; Brereton

We say: Barnsley 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

While Blackburn are the favourites to emerge victorious at the weekend, we cannot ignore the amount of draws that these two teams have recorded this season. With that in mind, we are predicting another stalemate on Saturday, potentially with one goal apiece.