Preview: Barnsley vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Middlesbrough head into Saturday's fixture at Barnsley looking for the win which may move the club into the Championship playoff places.

Having prevailed in two of their last three fixtures, the bottom-of-the-table hosts now sit nine points adrift of safety with a game in hand.

Match preview

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When Middlesbrough went behind against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening, the North-East side were facing the prospect of losing back-to-back games in the Championship for the first time since November 2.

However, Chris Wilder's side rallied during the second half, with goals from Paddy McNair and Marcus Tavernier keeping Boro within touching distance of the top three.

While other clubs will also have a say in the promotion race, Middlesbrough have at least one game in hand on the teams occupying third to fifth, leaving their fate in their own hands.

Wilder will insist that he plans to take one fixture at a time, but he also needs to be aware of the bigger picture with his team having put together an inconsistent run over the past five weeks.

On the plus side, Middlesbrough have scored 10 times in four Championship fixtures, by far their best return over such a period this season.

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Barnsley's two victories in three games is also their most productive effort of the campaign, breathing new life into their bid to remain in the second tier.

Reading's own resurgence has come at the wrong time for the Tykes, but head coach Poya Asbaghi will be hugely encouraged by their victories over Queens Park Rangers and Hull City.

Carlton Morris has established himself as a key player in recent weeks with the striker having contributed two goals and an assist during his last four appearances.

Providing that Barnsley can build on having conceded just five goals in six league matches, Asbaghi and the club's supporters will not be ready to give up in their quest to pull off a miraculous survival bid.

Team News

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Barring any injury issues, Asbaghi may choose to stick with the Barnsley starting lineup from the meeting with Hull.

Callum Brittain and Josh Benson are most likely to come into the team if Asbaghi opts to freshen up his first XI, but Cauley Woodrow remains absent with a knee injury.

Wilder will almost certainly make at least two alterations to his Boro side after they took time to get going against West Brom.

Andraz Sporar and Duncan Watmore seem likely to replace Aaron Connolly and Folarin Balogun in attack, but Matt Crooks serves the last of a two-game ban.

That will allow Riley McGree to continue in midfield, with the rest of the side potentially staying the same.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Williams, Helik, Andersen, Vita; Gomes, Wolfe; Styles, Bassi, Quina; Morris

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, McGree, Howson, Tavernier, Taylor; Watmore, Sporar

We say: Barnsley 1-2 Middlesbrough

With Barnsley producing their best results of the season, this game should be a lot more competitive than it might have been several weeks ago. Nevertheless, that does not stop us from predicting a narrow win, albeit by a narrow scoreline.

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