Preview: Barnsley vs. Ipswich Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The Tykes occupy fourth position in the League One table with six points separating them from Ipswich, who are sitting in second place.

Match preview

Barnsley are already guaranteed a place in the League One playoffs, but they still have an outside chance of securing automatic promotion after picking up 10 points from their previous four games.

After recording victories over Shrewsbury Town and Forest Green Rovers, the Tykes were held to a goalless draw by Lincoln City last Tuesday.

They returned to Oakwell for Saturday's meeting with relegation-threatened Oxford United, and it proved to be a successful outing as a Slobodan Tedic brace secured Michael Duff's side all three points.

As a result of Saturday's win, the Tykes have now recorded back-to-back clean sheets, and they now have the chance to claim three straight shutouts for the first time in League One this season.

Barnsley are currently in impressive home form, having recorded nine consecutive home victories, scoring at least two goals in each of those wins.

Ipswich edged closer to gaining promotion with a commanding 3-0 away victory over playoff-chasing Peterborough United.

Wes Burns opened the scoring to give the Tractor Boys a half-time lead, before Conor Chaplin and Freddie Ladapo grabbed a goal apiece in the second period to extend Ipswich's unbeaten run to 16 league games.

Finding the net has proven to be a simple task for Ipswich, who are the highest scorers in the third tier after registering 90 goals in 43 matches.

Tuesday's contest represents the game in hand Ipswich have over third-placed Sheffield Wednesday, and they can move four points clear of the Owls with a victory at Oakwell.

Ipswich have not lost a competitive game against Barnsley since November 2010, with their last 12 meetings producing five wins and seven draws.

Barnsley League One form:

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Ipswich Town League One form:

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Team News

Barnsley have reported no fresh injury concerns, giving Duff a fully-fit squad to choose from for Tuesday's encounter.

Following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Oxford, Duff could be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI.

If the Barnsley boss does select the same lineup then Tedic will resume his forward partnership with Devante Cole, who has scored 15 league goals this season.

As for the visitors, McKenna should have the majority of his squad available to him for the midweek trip to Oakwell.

After coming off the bench to score in the win over Peterborough, Ladapo is expected to start up front against Barnsley.

Chaplin has top scored for the Tractor Boys this season, and he will be looking to add to the 22 league goals that he has scored this term.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Isted; B. Thomas, Andersen, L. Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Zarkeche; Cole, Tedic

Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:

Walton; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead; Ladapo

We say: Barnsley 1-1 Ipswich Town

Since losing to Bolton Wanderers on January 2, Barnsley have recorded nine consecutive home victories, but we think that they will have to be content with a draw when they face an Ipswich side that are unbeaten in 16 league games.

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