The Reds will be eager to return to winning ways when they host South Yorkshire and play-off rivals Sheffield United on Saturday lunchtime.
Lee Johnson’s men have drawn their last three matches including last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Bristol City but with six wins in a row prior to that; the Reds are now unbeaten in their last nine outings.
That form leaves Barnsley just one point and two places outside the division’s top seven and with no defeats in their last four Oakwell games – including three wins and a draw – the Reds will be confident going into this weekend’s derby.
Blades’ boss Nigel Clough will be eager for a response from his players however, with the Club tasting their first defeat in five games last weekend at home to Crewe.
Draws at Scunthorpe and Walsall, as well as back-to-back triumphs against Port Vale and Scunthorpe had kept the Club’s hopes of an automatic promotion spot alive but their third loss in five home games leaves United 13 points behind second-placed Preston in fifth.
Clough’s men will not be too downhearted though, with the Blades faring slightly better on the road of late; going six games unbeaten away from Bramall Lane – winning three and drawing three.
Previous Meetings
Barnsley will aim to continue their fine recent form in this fixture when they meet Sheffield United for the 64thtime this weekend.
After three seasons apart, the Clubs crossed paths in November and it was a happy afternoon for the Reds, as Sam Winnall’s 56thminute strike earned the Club a 16thwin against the Blades.
The victory also extended the Reds’ unbeaten run to five games against United, with a 2-2 draw in Sheffield back in the 2010-11 campaign and a 1-0 success at Oakwell in the same season courtesy of Hugo Colace’s solo effort.
Barnsley also remained undefeated against the Blades in the 2009-10 season following two draws including another 2-2 score line in which Daniel Bogdanovic was amongst the scorers for the Reds.
Team News
Jabo Ibehre will be eager to make his first home start for Barnsley when the Reds host Sheffield United on Saturday.
The giant forward has scored two in his last two games and started from the off for the first time in a Barnsley shirt against Bristol City last weekend.
If the on-loan forward is included in Lee Johnson’s starting XI, fellow loanee George Waring is likely to make way once again and the Stoke City man could be joined on the substitutes bench by Jean Yves-Mvoto following Declan John’s return from international duty with Wales.
One man who will not be involved at Oakwell is Milan Lalkovic, who serves the final match of his three-game ban, but in between the sticks, young ‘keeper Joe Wildsmith should continue with Adam Davies doubtful, while Mason Holgate is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury.
For the visiting Blades, striker Matt Done could be included from the off following his 16 minute cameo against Crewe last Saturday after suffering with sore calves of late.
Three fellow United players could also return at Oakwell, with Stefan Scougall and Terry Kennedy close to full fitness after knee injuries, while midfielder James Wallace is edging closer to a comeback following a muscular injury.
Despite that positive news, former Barnsley defender Jay McEveley may have to miss out; having sat out the Club’s last three matches due to a shoulder problem.
Man in the Middle
Andrew Madley will rule over this weekend’s South Yorkshire derby which will be the official’s 30thgame of the campaign. The West Yorkshire-based referee has dished out 85 yellow cards and three reds; with the most recent of those dismissals coming early last month when he sent off Fulham defender Fernando Amorebieta in his side’s 5-1 home defeat against Bournemouth. Earlier in the season Madley also brandished red to Swindon’s Nathan Thompson as the Robins went down to a 4-2 home reverse against Brighton in the League Cup, as well as one to Millwall’s Sid Nelson in their goalless draw at home to Reading.
Madley – who will be assisted by linesmen Kevin Mattocks and Peter Wright as well as fourth official Darren Deadman at Oakwell – will not be a familiar face to most Barnsley fans, with the official taking charge of just one Barnsley game in the past. That encounter did arrive this season however, as Madley ran the rule over the Reds’ 3-1 home success against Bradford in which Sam Winnall and Kane Hemmings found the back of the net, as well as an own goal from Rory McArdle.
Their Star Man
Barnsley will come up against one of the division’s craftiest playmakers this weekend when they come toe-to-toe with Liverpool-born Jose Baxter. The former Everton man joined the Blades in the summer of 2013 and after 10 goals in 50 appearances last season, Baxter – who also has three assists this season - has surpassed that with 12 strikes in 43 games this term. Despite failing to notch in his opening three matches, the ex-England youth international replied with four goals in six games including strikes in narrow wins against Peterborough, Crawley and Hartlepool.
A disappointing return of just two goals in 26 games would follow for the former Tranmere loanee however and after being sent off against Coventry in February, things appeared to be on a slump for attacking midfielder Baxter. Everything can change quickly in football though and the former Oldham man has struck four goals in his last four outings including the winner as the Blades beat Port Vale 1-0 and a brace in the Club’s 4-0 home win against Scunthorpe last month.
Mutual Man
Daniel Bogdanovic arrived in England back in January 2009 following spells in Malta, Bulgaria and Italy. The Maltese international agreed a deal to join the Reds and made an instant impression; bagging on his debut in a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich at Oakwell. Another four goals in 16 appearances would come the front man’s way in the rest of the 2008-09 campaign including a late consolation against Sheffield United in a 2-1 loss at Bramall Lane.
The Libyan-born forward was a regular once again as he began his first full campaign in England; scoring 14 goals in 33 games during the 2009-10 season. The 35-year-old struck three braces including one against Reading in a 2-1 Carling Cup success, another as the Reds picked up an impressive 2-0 win at Cardiff and a third as Barnsley beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Oakwell. Despite that goal return, Bogdanovic penned a two-year deal with South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United in June 2010.
Having impressed in the Championship, big things were expected of the striker at Bramall Lane, but with other options available the former Lokomotiv Moscow man failed to earn a regular starting spot for the Blades; finding the back of the net only five times all season. The former Red did net the winner in an exciting 3-2 home victory against Crystal Palace however, as well as notching in draws against Burnley, Doncaster, Millwall and Reading. The season would ultimately end in disappointment though as the Blades suffered relegation to League One and the striker joined Blackpool for a fee in the region of £250,000. Following a year by the seaside and loan spells at both Rochdale and Notts County, Bogdanovic returned to Malta in May 2012.
Form Guide
Barnsley’s last five at home: (LWWWD)
Barnsley 1-2 Fleetwood Town
Barnsley 2-0 Crewe Alexandra
Barnsley 1-0 Coventry City
Barnsley 3-0 Walsall
Barnsley 1-1 Preston North End
Sheffield United’s last five away: (WWDDD)
Notts County 1-2 Sheffield United
Rochdale 1-2 Sheffield United
Crawley Town 1-1 Sheffield United
Scunthorpe United 1-1 Sheffield United
Walsall 1-1 Sheffield United
Ticket Information
and there will be no ticket sales on the day of the game. ALL-TICKETPlease note that our game against Sheffield United game has been designated
**Advance purchase only. Not available on the turnstiles. Price only applies when purchased with and adult or Over 65s ticket.
*Advance purchase price only. Not available on the turnstiles.
Juvenile (Under 12)**: £5
Juvenile (16 and under)*: £10
Young Adult (17-21): £15
Over 65: £15
Adult: £20
Family Area***
Juvenile (Under 12)**: £5
Juvenile (16 and under)*: £10
Young Adult (17-21): £16
Over 65: £16
Adult: £23
CK Beckett Stand
Juvenile (Under 12)**: £5
Juvenile (16 and under)*: £10
Young Adult (17-21): £17
Over 65: £17
Adult: £24
East Stand/West Stand Lower
Juvenile (Under 12)**: £5
Juvenile (16 and under)*: £10
Young Adult (17-21): £18
Over 65: £18
Adult: £25
East Stand Upper/West Stand Upper
Tickets are priced as follows:
***Tickets sold in the CK Beckett Family Area (F14, F15 & F16) are strictly for families only. Adults without Juveniles and unaccompanied Juveniles are not permitted into the Family Area.
Buy online and collect or print at home. Must have checkable booking history.