Barnsleyvs.Peterborough

The Tykes will be looking for just their second win in 10 matches, while the Posh will be hoping to make it three unbeaten.

Match preview

Conor Hourihane's Barnsley may have thought that their troubles were over when they ended a six-game winless run by recording three consecutive victories at the end of February and start of March, but with six losses, two draws and one win since, they are currently in their worst form of the season.

Last time out, the Tykes were beaten 4-3 on the road to promotion-chasing Leyton Orient, and the boss will be disappointed that his team surrendered the lead that Stephen Humphrys and Davis Keillor-Dunn had given them when they conceded four goals in 23 minutes.

That defeat saw Hourihane's side drop down to 12th in the table after Lincoln City beat Reading, and they are at risk of slipping into the bottom half with Rotherham United just two points behind.

Desperate to get back on track before the season draws to a close, Monday's hosts may take confidence from the fact that they have fared better at Oakwell than on their travels, but with only two wins from their last eight at home, the difference is marginal.

If Barnsley can channel the performance that saw them beat Bolton Wanderers 4-1 on April 12, then they could reclaim 11th place with a potentially revitalising three points, though defeat may cause them to drop down to 13th.

Meanwhile, Darren Ferguson's Peterborough have endured a mixed April featuring two wins, two losses and one draw after their eight-game unbeaten run ended with a 3-1 loss against Reading on March 29.

Most recently, the Posh managed to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with promotion hopefuls Stockport County, and they were unlucky not to walk away with all three given that the Hatters' Jack Diamond only cancelled out Ricky-Jade Jones's opener in stoppage time.

That stalemate left Ferguson's side 17th in the third tier with 49 points, and though they are still only six ahead of 21st-placed Bristol Rovers, they have a game in hand on the relegation-threatened Gas.

Additionally, if Rovers fail to win their match against Stevenage while Peterborough win against Barnsley, then Monday's visitors would be mathematically safe from the drop, and having won five of their last eight as the nominal away side, they will be optimistic of taking all three points at Oakwell.

Should the Posh get revenge against the Tykes for their 3-1 loss in December's reverse fixture, then they could find themselves as high as 15th in the table depending on goal difference, climbing above Wigan Athletic and Stevenage.

Barnsley League One form:

D

D

L

L

W

L

Peterborough United League One form:

W

L

W

L

L

D

Peterborough United form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

W

D

Team News

Barnsley could be without left-sided forward Stephen Humphrys on Monday after he was taken off with an injury in Friday's clash with Orient.

In his absence, Corey O'Keefe could start as part of a frontline featuring attacking midfielder Adam Phillips, right-winger Fabio Jalo and striker Davis Keillor-Dunn.

As for Peterborough, Archie Collins will be unavailable after being withdrawn with only 15 minutes on the clock against Stockport, so expect to see Ryan De Havilland join Hector Kyprianou at the base of Ferguson's midfield.

Likewise, winger Cian Hayes was substituted on for just nine second-half minutes before coming off with an injury of his own last time out, and he will not be ready to take part on Monday.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Flavell; Bland, Roberts, McCarthy, Earl; Connell, Russell; Jalo, Phillips, O'Keefe; Keillor-Dunn

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Steer; Dornelly, Wallin, Fernandez, Mills; Kyprianou, De Havilland; Poku, Mothersille, Odoh; Jones

We say: Barnsley 1-2 Peterborough United

Barnsley have been in dire form in recent weeks, and while Peterborough have been mixed, their strength on the road is hard to look past.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

Previews by email