The Reds return to Oakwell for a first home game of 2019 in Saturday's Yorkshire derby against Bradford City, and we've got it covered with our big match preview.
After last weekend's cruel, stoppage-time exit from this year's Emirates FA Cup thanks to Premier League outfit Burnley's 92nd minute penalty which condemned Barnsley to a 1-0 defeat at Turf Moor, Daniel Stendel's side return to league action on Saturday, welcoming local rivals Bradford City to Oakwell.
Despite that late defeat against the Clarets, the Reds were praised in all quarters for their performance so can take confidence into the weekend.
There are no new injury issues for Stendel to contend with - Ryan Hedges made his first start for six weeks at Burnley and both Dani Pinillos and Jack Walton have returned to training following their respective injuries.
It's also worthwhile noting that Callum Styles has returned from his loan-spell with Bury, and another 18-year-old in Academy prospect, fresh from signing a new contract, dynamic midfielder Matty Wolfe is now fit and in contention for a first team place.
Barnsley are unbeaten in their last five Sky Bet League One fixtures, having won three and drawn twice.
Visitors, Bradford are themselves in fine form as they look to turn around a very difficult season.
They’ve won four of their last five games, including some big wins over Rochdale (4-0) and Accrington (3-0), and their only defeat in the last five was away at Sunderland where they had a perfectly good goal not given which would have given them a deserved point on Wearside.
Their poor form to begin the campaign saw the early departure of former boss, Michael Collins who’d only been in situ since the summer. His replacement on September 4th was David Hopkin who had performed miracles at Scottish Premier League side Livingston.
After initially struggling to turn around the club’s fortunes, Hopkin has seen his charges pull out of the relegation zone of Sky Bet League One in recent weeks, and as we’ve seen with the Reds in this division, it’s not impossible to stage a late push for promotion.
During the week, Hopkin spoke highly of the Reds when meeting with local media ahead of the derby clash.
“They are a very good side," he stated. "They're very physical and do everything in the game well, whether it’s pressing or attacking.
“There is a good shape about them but the biggest thing they do have is a lot of energy in their team. We have to be able to match that.
"We know it will be another tough game. But it's a Yorkshire derby and one we are all looking forward to.”
24-year-old midfielder Jack Payne is City's star man. With eight goals to his name already this season, the man on loan at Valley Parade from neighbours Huddersfield Town will be one to keep an eye on for the Reds on Saturday.
Ahead of the fixture, Reds Assistant Head Coach, Andreas Winkler and top scorer, Kieffer Moore spoke with the press in midweek to preview the big game.
Saturday will be the 108th meeting of the two clubs.
The Reds have already beaten Bradford twice this season. A 2-0 victory at Valley Parade in just the second league game of the season and then a 2-1 victory here at Oakwell in the Checkatrade Trophy group stage.
Barnsley have 40 victories, The Bantams have 37 and there have been 31 draws.
The clubs met on four occasions in the space of 12 days in 1912. After three 0-0 draws, Barnsley eventually beat Bradford in a third replay, 3-2 in the FA Cup quarter final, on their way to lifting the famous trophy that season.
Quite easily the most memorable meeting was on April 26th 1997, when a 2-0 victory for the Reds saw them promoted to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history.
Predominantly a Championship level referee, Jeremy Simpson makes his first Oakwell appearance of the season on Saturday.
It's actually his first visit since our 1-1 draw with Burton Albion in late April 2017, but he did take charge of three Reds fixtures last season, each away from home. They were a 2-1 defeat at Wolves, a 4-2 victory over Burton and a 2-0 win at Birmingham City.
His first time in control of a Reds fixture was a 3-2 away win at Middlesbrough in February of 2013.
In 25 games this season, Simpson has brandished four red cards, whilst issuing 101 cautions. His last Sky Bet League One outing saw him book no fewer than 10 players as Sunderland edged out Doncaster 1-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium.
We will be providing, as ever, LIVE and uninterrupted commentary from Oakwell, via our iFollow Barnsley platform for UK subscribers.
Overseas subscribers will have access to both commentary and the live match stream by purchasing a Match Pass.
