Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Preview

Posted on | February 16, 2009 | No Comments

This is yet another South Yorkshire derby but there’s more than just local pride at stake for one of these sides. While Sheffield Wednesday have battled into a safe mid-table position, Barnsley’s recent form has been terrible and after losing all five of their January fixtures, just one place separates them from the drop zone.

This is the third South Yorkshire derby for Sheffield Wednesday in as many games and having beaten Sheffield United and then lost to Doncaster, in theory this has draw written all over it! Recent form in general has been impressive though and having already risen to 12^th in the table, the aim surely has to be to compete for a top half finish now. Having recorded wins over Charlton and Sheffield United as well as draws against Birmingham and Ipswich in recent weeks, there’s no doubting that the Owls are in good form at the moment and will be eager to make up for the 2-1 defeat Barnsley inflicted on them earlier in the season.

January was a dreadful month for Barnsley as Simon Davey’s men lost all five of their games. Four of those were in the league and with other teams around them hitting some form; it’s meant that the Tykes have been drawn back into a relegation battle. Something else that hasn’t helped matters is the fact that they’re last three games, one of which included this one, have been postponed meaning that they will have to play catch-up in the next month or so. However, with Davey bringing in three new loan signings on deadline day, they’ll be hoping that they provide the impetus required to turn this terrible run of form around.

Something else which makes this fixture look even more exciting is the fact that both managers have virtually fully fit squads to choose from. Brian Laws will welcome back Francis Jeffers and Lewix Buxton who both return from suspension, meaning he’s got plenty of options heading into this one. Similarly, it’s all rosy for Simon Davey. Having battled against injuries for the past couple of months the Tykes’ manager now has no less than six players to throw in. Stephen Foster, Hugo Colace and Daniel Bogdanovic are all hopeful of starts after recovering from injuries, while debuts may be given to new loan signings Michael Mifsud, Adam Hammill and Andranik Teymourian.

As for a prediction, we think this one could end in a draw. Barnsley may be in shambolic form at the moment yet with so many new players to throw in, that could be the thing that gives the Tykes a lift. However, we still can’t write off Sheffield Wednesday and with the Owls not losing at home to Barnsley in the past twenty six years, we think this has a 1-1 tie written all over it.

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1. Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
2. Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Preview
3. Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Preview
4. Birmingham v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
5. Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday Preview

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