Preview: Barnsley vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides battling it out in the bottom half of the table come together on Saturday afternoon as Barnsley host Nottingham Forest at Oakwell.

Despite their league position, both teams have turned a corner of late and will be looking to continue that form in what could be viewed as an early-season six-pointer.

Before the international break, Barnsley swept Derby County aside in a 2-0 win, while Forest came out on top at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

Match preview

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Amidst rumours that the Tykes are pursuing Mario Balotelli, the roving Alex Mowatt and the energetic Conor Chaplin were both major influences as Barnsley overcame Derby County last time out, and the Yorkshire outfit will very much be seen as a team in form as they welcome Forest.

It was Chaplin that gave the Tykes the lead against the Rams, before Victor Adeboyejo made the win safe in the second half when he took a fine pass from Chaplin and curled his shot beyond Marshall to climb Barnsley up to 16th in the table.

For new boss Valerien Ismael, it was his third win in four games since taking over from Gerhard Struber as head coach, and he will be pleased with his side's performances of late.

Barnsley have now kept three clean sheets in their last four games and have kept eight clean sheets in their last 20, creating something of a foundation from which to propel themselves up the table.

They have also not lost a home league game in their last five matches and will be keen to get their noses in front early, having scored first in all eight of their last eight home wins.

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Forest come into this fixture having won their last two matches, as Chris Hughton begins to turn more positive performances into points.

Hughton handed Lyle Taylor a rare start and was duly repaid as he netted twice to sink Wycombe Wanderers at the City Ground.

Forest are now up to 20th in the table and will feel as though they are heading in the right direction, and if they can overcome Barnsley, they will leapfrog the Yorkshire side.

Despite Barnsley's strong defensive form, Forest will feel they are likely to cause Ismael's men issues, having scored in 15 of their last 20 away games.

Barnsley Championship form: DDWWLW

Nottingham Forest Championship form: DDDLWW

Team News

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Ismael could have Jordan Williams and Romal Palmer back in contention as they recover from injuries.

The Tykes boss has also confirmed that Mike Bahre, who has been training with the Under-23s after falling totally out of favour, is out for several weeks with an abductor injury.

For Forest, Harry Arter missed two games with an ankle injury before returning to the squad against Coventry City. However, he has suffered another setback while on international duty and could miss out.

Lewis Grabban may prove his fitness in a bid to be recalled, and Samba Sow could be fit enough after a hamstring scare.

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Walton; Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen; Frieser, Mowatt, James, Styles; Chaplin, Simoes; Adeboyejo

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, McKenna, Figueiredo, Ribeiro; Sow, Colback; Knockaert, Ameobi, Lolley; Taylor

We say: Barnsley 1-1 Nottingham Forest

These two have seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks, and both will be desperate to start well after the international break. We see a draw being the most likely result, as though both sides will be eyeing three points, they are also likely to settle for just one.

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