After both experienced good starts to the season, these two sides are looking to get back into some form after some poor results in recent weeks. Despite these results, both managers will probably be happy with their current positions as Barnsley occupy 13th while Cardiff sit in 2nd place.
Barnsley’s season has been highly inconsistent – or very consistent, whichever way you look at it. The Tykes have three wins, three draws and three defeats to their name after the opening nine games and that has put them in a respectable placing of 13th. Mark Robins could not hide his anger after his team let in three late goals to lose 3-0 to a ten man Reading side, yet the Tykes responded with a goalless draw against Scunthorpe. That result will have pleased Barnsley fans who have become used to their team performing badly on the road – with the club still without an away win since February. That’s meant that they’ve had to heavily rely on their home form which has so far been very good, with three wins and one draw from the four games so far.
Cardiff will also be happy with their season and the Bluebirds currently sit in 2nd spot. There has been much publicity over the season about some of Cardiff’s high profile purchases such as Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas, Daniel Drinkwater and Seyi Olofinjana, although many of these haven’t featured over the past few weeks due to injury. That will probably explain some of the poor form that City have encountered recently, with Dave Jones’ men losing three of their last four. With that, it appears strange that they still sit in the automatic positions, but just one point separates them from 3rd place Norwich and Jones will know that form must improve if they are to keep their current position.
As for team news, Barnsley’s outlook is looking much brighter after various players made recoveries from injuries. Jay McEveley and Garry O’Connor are both tipped to return to the starting eleven having shaken off foot and groin injuries respectively, while Bobby Hassell could also be in contention despite being substituted through injury in the midweek game. As for the visitors, having been ruled out of Wales’ international games next week Craig Bellamy is not expected to feature in this game. Elsewhere, Steven McPhail is touch and go to be fit to play against his former club, although Michael Chopra and Danny Drinkwater are both definitely out.
In terms of a prediction, we think Barnsley could just edge this one. The Tykes have some very good home form and with Cardiff losing their last two games on the road, we think they’re there for the taking – 1-0 Barnsley.
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