The Reds welcome Peterborough to Oakwell for a festive fixture on Boxing Day and we've got you covered with our big match preview.
After getting a welcome victory last time out at the seaside against Blackpool, Daniel Stendel's men return to Oakwell this Christmas for their latest Sky Bet League One fixture.
The visitors on Boxing Day are Peterborough United. Whilst at the weekend the Reds faced off against the side one place below them in the table, Wednesday afternoon sees Barnsley facing the side one place above them in the standings.
This fixture has been played out already this season, with Stendel's men thumping Posh 4-0 at London Road in October. Goals from George Moncur, Brad Potts (x2) and Jacob Brown and a penalty save from skipper, Adam Davies saw Barnsley record one of their better victories this season.
But our visitors from the South are no mugs, hence their position in the table and they've not lost a game (like the Reds) since falling 1-0 at Wycombe back on the 3rd of November.
They've become masters of the draw recently, however. They've tied each of their last six games in all competitions over 90 minutes. Their last victory coming against Wimbledon in November, a 1-0 triumph thanks to star man, Marcus Maddison.
The former Newcastle United youth player made his 200th Posh appearance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Walsall and in that time he's provided goals at a staggering rate, either bagging himself or creating for others, as he did on Saturday gone when ex-Reds loanee Ivan Toney headed in one of his trademark whipped-in corners.
Posh gaffer Steve Evans isn't in the merriest of moods this Christmas despite his side being 11 games unbeaten.
“We have to give ourselves the best chance of getting a result from a very tough fixture at Oakwell and that means working on Christmas Day,” Evans stated post-match on Saturday.
“We will be facing the best team I’ve seen in League One and they have a strike force in Kieffer Moore and Cauley Woodrow as good as anything in the division.
“It goes without saying we will have to improve. We keep getting praise for our unbeaten run, but we are drawing so many games I feel frustration more than pride.
“I hope the fans don’t think I have pickled onions for eyes. I see what they see and like them I was frustrated by a poor performance. Character got us a point which is more than we deserved."
The referee in charge of affairs on Boxing Day is Carl Boyeson.
The East Yorkshire official has already visited Oakwell twice this season - in the Reds' 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle and the 2-1 victory over Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy.
He dished out 12 yellow cards combined in those games, as well as sending off Adam Jackson in the latter.
Vastly experienced, Boyeson made his first trip to Barnsley back in March of 2003 when the Reds beat Stockport County 1-0 at Oakwell.
There have been 37 meetings between the two sides over the years, with Posh edging the fixture slightly with 17 victories to Barnsley's 15.
Our last contest at Oakwell saw a late George Williams header clinch a dramatic and ultimately crucial victory back in 2016 at this level.
The first time the Reds met Posh in a competitive outing was an Oakwell encounter in December of 1961. And it was a superb day for the visitors who ran out 3-0 winners.
Reds Head Coach, Daniel Stendel is looking forward to Boxing Day.
"We know that Peterborough are a good side," he told us.
"They have lots of quality in attacking areas and their own way of playing. The result earlier this season won't have much impact, this is a new day and anything is possible in football.
"But we're working hard in our preparation for the game and know that if we are all at our best that we can win. It's in our hands."
