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

Bournemouth will be hoping for a confidence-boosting win away at Championship bottom club Barnsley on Saturday afternoon.

The Cherries are currently third in the table following two consecutive losses, while the Tykes are eight points adrift of safety.

Match preview

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Scott Parker admitted that Bournemouth's 1-0 home defeat to Hull City last weekend was a "real wake-up call" as the Cherries battle for promotion.

Parker's team were top of the table and nine points clear of third place at the end of October, but have now won just two of their last 10 league matches.

Blackburn Rovers' win over Middlesbrough on Monday night pushed Bournemouth down to third in the standings, but the South coast side do have a game in hand over Tony Mowbray's men, who they trail by three points.

No team in the Championship has conceded fewer goals away from home this season than the Cherries (10).

Furthermore, Bournemouth have won four of their last five matches against Barnsley and claimed a 3-0 victory over the Tykes earlier this season.

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It is easy to forget that Barnsley actually finished above Bournemouth last season as both sides competed in the playoffs, but the Tykes are now in deep trouble at the other end of the table.

The South Yorkshire side have recorded just two Championship victories all season and Poya Asbaghi remains winless in eight league matches since replacing Markus Schopp in the dugout in mid-November.

A 3-0 humbling at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night was Barnsley's third successive defeat as they were torn apart by Steve Cooper's side.

To give a hint of optimism, both of the club's victories this season have come on home turf and they have drawn their last two games at Oakwell against playoff contenders Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion.

Nonetheless, it seems a big task for the Tykes, who are the Championship's lowest scorers with just 17 goals in 26 games.

Team News

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Barnsley forward Carlton Morris tested positive for Covid-19 at the start of the week, along with manager Asbaghi, meaning that the pair missed Tuesday's defeat to Nottingham Forest; they are likely to be absent again.

Liam Kitching was ruled out of the trip to the City Ground due to concussion and will also miss out again, while Callum Brittain and Clarke Oduor are also sidelined along with long-term absentees Cauley Woodrow and Aapo Halme.

There is better news regarding Josh Benson, who has missed the last two matches through injury but is back in training and in contention to feature.

Jamal Lowe will be absent for Bournemouth after testing positive for Covid-19, but Jefferson Lerma is available after finishing a period of self-isolation.

Chris Mepham was forced off with a hamstring issue against Hull last weekend and will not feature, while Lewis Cook will face a late fitness test after missing the defeat due to a knock.

Jordan Zemura is available for selection after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations and could replace Leif Davis at left-back.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Moon, Helik, Andersen, J. Williams; Gomes, Benson; Styles, Adeboyejo, Leya Iseka; Cole

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Billing, Lerma, Marcondes; Christie, Solanke, Anthony

We say: Barnsley 0-3 Bournemouth

Parker will demand a reaction from his Bournemouth side and they could potentially have a field day against a depleted Barnsley team who appear to have very little hope of staying in the Championship this season. Anything other than an away win would be a big shock.

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