Barnsley vs Bristol City
England – Championship
Date: Friday, 1 November 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Oakwell (Barnsley).
Barnsley vs Bristol City Match preview
It is 12 years since Bristol City came within a whisker of earning promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, and the signs so far indicate that the 2019-20 campaign might be their best chance to do so because Dean Windass ended their hopes on occasion.
The Robins did not get off to the best start, failed to win any of their first three games in all competitions, but they now have lost just once in 90 minutes in their last 14 games since their opening day defeat at home to Leeds United.
Johnson did not need the lee side 86 minute equalizer from Pedro Pereira to rescue the impressive run on Sunday, though, with Portugal midfielder scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate.
This is the second time in five days that City have struck late to increase their points tally and, while victory at the weekend could lift them up to second place, it does at least draw still gave them a chance to move joint top by beating Barnsley.
Cities are now three points adrift of leaders West Bromwich Albion in the battle sale stringent and could even jump over the Baggies in the first place, although to do so they would need to win by six goals clearly and spell them at the top is likely to only last until most of the action on Saturday.
On the other hand, any dropped points could provide as many as six teams a chance to overtake them in the playoff final, and Bristol City came into this match without a win in their last three away outings.
There may be a glimmer of hope for Barnsley, then, although whether they are able to take advantage of doubtful following a 14-match winless streak in all competitions.
Opening day victory over Fulham, which gives them a perfect return to the Championship following their promotion from League One, will feel like a long time already, having taken just four points from a possible 36 since then.
Three of those points came in the last five games, so there are signs of improvement, especially since Adam Murray took over after the departure of Daniel Stendel caretaker of this.
Duo draw against high-flying Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion made for the encouraging start to his tenure, although that was stopped by the defeat to Huddersfield Town bounced back on Saturday.
How long Murray will be at the helm for still unclear, but the victory over Bristol City would do his chances of getting the job permanently no harm at all, as well as taking Tykes off the bottom and to within one point of safety.
Barnsley vs Bristol City prediction
The hosts continued their winless run last week after Huddersfield brought them down to the scoreline 2-1 on the road. With no more than eight points under their belts, the home side have deservedly reached the lowest point on the ladder.
Barnsley has hardly faring better in the comfort of their homes. The squad have shared the spoils in their last two games here and had to admit defeat in three of their previous five.
Bristol City, on the other hand, is now in contention for the top spot and just three points shy of becoming level with group leaders West Brom. The visitors are also in the two-match unbeaten streak at the moment and has been in the end lost just once in their last ten games.
Additionally, the away side had seemed firmly in their clash on the road so far and have secured at least a point in six of their past seven games in the Championship. However, as noted above, the hosts have salvaged a point in each of their previous two matches here.
Given that their last three meetings with each other at Oakwell also been finished as a draw, the safest punt will be multiple opportunities in support of Bristol City.
In addition, there has been no dearth of goals in their h2h previous clash here. Six of their last seven meetings here have witnessed the end of the second goal. With Bristol City conceded goals or more in all of their events so far, too, relying on both teams to have their name on the scoresheet in this one.
Barnsley vs Bristol City betting tips
double opportunity: Image or Bristol City @ 1.40 (2/5)
Both teams scored @ 1.50 (1/2).
