All The Information You Need Ahead Of The Trip To Face The Terriers!
Huddersfield Town v Barnsley
The Reds will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce when they face rivals Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.
Despite losing their opening two games against Ipswich and Northampton, Paul Heckingbottom’s men have replied with back-to-back home wins against Derby and Queens Park Rangers.
Wednesday night’s success against QPR saw the Tykes fight back from 2-1 down to win 3-2, with Josh Scowen netting a late winner, moving the Reds into seventh place.
Hosts Huddersfield meanwhile, will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Following their opening day victory at home to Brentford, the Terriers defeated recently relegated Newcastle United before drawing at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
That leaves the West Yorkshire side in third place and they will be eager to continue their fine start on Saturday in what is head coach David Wagner’s first full season in charge.
Previous Meetings
The Reds will be looking for revenge when they travel the short distance to face Huddersfield.
In the last meeting between the two sides, Barnsley suffered a 5-0 defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Tykes did win the corresponding fixture however, with Chris O’Grady and Marcus Pedersen striking in a 2-0 success at Oakwell.
That victory is one of only two which Barnsley have picked up in the last eight meetings between the Clubs and they will be eager to improve on that form this weekend.
Team News
Paul Heckingbottom could name an unchanged line-up for the third game in a row this weekend.
That would see Ryan Kent continue on the right-hand side, while Adam Hammill should start against his former Club on the opposite wing.
Sam Winnall remains side-lined with a hamstring injury but summer signings Andy Yiadom and George Moncur will be hoping to be involved at some stage.
For Huddersfield, last season’s top goal scorer Nahki Wells will be pushing for a starting berth after dropping to the bench on Tuesday night against Aston Villa.
The Bermudan international missed the Club’s opening game of the season against Brentford due to injury but did start and score against Newcastle last weekend.
If head coach David Wagner opts to recall the forward to his starting XI either Jack Payne or Joe Lolley could miss out.
Elsewhere, Philip Billing (ankle) and Harry Bunn (hamstring) may return and although Martin Cranie will be hoping to start against his former side, he is likely to be on the bench for the hosts.
Man in the Middle
Chris Kavanagh is the man entrusted with taking charge of this weekend’s local derby between the Tykes and the Terriers.
The Lancashire-based referee has taken charge of Barnsley on three previous occasions, with the Reds yet to win in his company.
After losing against both Swindon and the MK Dons in the 2014-15 campaign with Kavanagh in charge, they met just once last season, with the Reds drawing 1-1 at Blackpool.
The Lancastrian has previously taken charge of four Huddersfield games, with the West Yorkshire side losing two and winning two; the most recent of which came on Boxing Day when they beat Preston North End 3-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
That match was one of 32 which Kavanagh watched over last season, as he handed out 114 yellow cards and three reds.
Their Star Man
Following spells with Carlisle United and Bradford City, striker Nahki Wells made the controversial switch from Valley Parade to the John Smith’s Stadium in January 2014 for an undisclosed club-record transfer fee.
The Bermuda international – who scored 53 goals in 112 games for Bradford – made an immediate impact with the Terriers; notching twice in his first two games, including a winner against Millwall on his debut.
He ended the campaign with seven goals for his new Club and after finding the back of the net 14 times in 37 games during the 2014-15 campaign, big things were expected of him ahead of last season.
The much-sought after 26-year-old did not disappoint, bagging 18 goals including strikes in wins against the MK Dons, Birmingham, Preston, Charlton, Wolves, Reading, arch rivals Leeds and Blackburn Rovers.
Although that return failed to beat his tally of 26 goals which he netted during Bradford’s 2012-13 promotion-winning season, the pacey front man also contributed five assists last term and with a goal in last weekend’s win at Newcastle, Wells is guaranteed to be a major threat to the Reds on Saturday.
Mutual Man
He may have become both a Premier League winner and an England international in recent months but midfielder Danny Drinkwater enhanced his development with both Barnsley and Huddersfield.
At the age of 19, he joined the Terriers from Manchester United and spent the entirety of the 2009-10 campaign in West Yorkshire, making 37 appearances and scoring twice.
The first of those goals came in just his second appearance in a stunning 7-1 home win against Brighton, while his second came in just as memorable circumstances; striking the fourth in the Terriers’ 6-0 triumph at Stockport.
Following that spell – which ended with a League One play-off semi-final defeat against Millwall – Drinkwater spent the 2010-11 season with both Cardiff and then Watford before he joined the Tykes on a similar deal in August 2011.
The Manchester-born midfielder made his Reds debut in a goalless draw at Millwall, which was one of 17 starts he made for the Club.
His one and only goal during that stay came in October 2011 when he struck against former Club Cardiff in a 5-3 loss for the Tykes.
Despite helping the Club secure five draws and seven wins during his time at Oakwell, Barnsley’s hopes of keeping hold of the Manchester United loanee for the remainder of the campaign ended in January 2012 when he joined Leicester City on a permanent transfer, where he would become a Premier League Champion four years later.
Form Guide
Huddersfield’s last five at home: (LDDLW)
Huddersfield Town 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Huddersfield Town 2-2 Hull City
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Birmingham City
Huddersfield Town 1-5 Brentford
Huddersfield Town 2-1 Brentford
Barnsley’s last five on the road: (DDWWL)
Burton Albion 0-0 Barnsley
Sheffield United 0-0 Barnsley
Wigan Athletic 1-4 Barnsley
Walsall 1-3 Barnsley
Ipswich Town 4-2 Barnsley
Going to the match?
Huddersfield Town play at the John Smiths Stadium, its address is as follows: The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX.
How to get there:
By Car:
From M62 west - exit the M62 at junction 24 and follow signs for Huddersfield Town Centre (A629). After approximately two miles, follow the signs for the stadium turning left onto Castlegate ring road. Turn left onto Leeds Road (A62), then follow the official car park signs.
From M62 east/north - exit M62 at junction 25 and turn left, following signs for Huddersfield Town Centre (A62). Follow the official car park signs thereon in.
From M1 south - exit at junction 42 and continue west on the M62. Exit the M62 at junction 25 and turn left, following signs for Huddersfield Town Centre (A62). Follow the official car park signs thereon in.
By Rail:
Huddersfield Railway Station is situated in St. George's Square and is approximately half a mile from the Stadium. Buses and taxis are available outside the station or you can follow the signed pedestrian route to the Stadium via Northumberland Street.
Please be aware that ALL train routes out of Barnsley this weekend are severely disrupted, or cancelled. Please check your travel routes in advance.
By Bus:
The Stadium is served by several buses, all passing down Leeds Road and dropping within walking distance of the Stadium.
Ticket Information:
Tickets have now SOLD OUT for this game.
The Official Club Coaches depart Oakwell at 12.30pm and seats are priced at £14.
Not going to the game?
Enjoy LIVE commentary, followed by a full-match replay exclusively on Barnsley Player HD! www.player.barnsleyfc.co.uk
