Likely line-ups, team battles, opposition insight and previous meetings as Barnsley prepare to host Derby County from 3pm.
Likely line-ups:
Barnsley (3-5-2): Isted; B Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Cadden; Norwood, Cole.
Derby (4-2-3-1): Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Cashin, Sibley; White, Hourihane; Barkuizen, Knight, Mendez-Laing; McGoldrick.
KEY BATTLES
Mads Andersen v David McGoldrick
The 35-year-old striker is the fourth top-scorer in League One this season with 13, including three hat-tricks.
He has lost just one of 12 meetings with the Reds.
It may be a difficult test for Andersen who has often breezed through matches in League One this season. The Dane has made the second most interceptions in the league – behind only Derby’s Eiran Cashin – and the sixth most clearances.
McGoldrick is likely to play in front of three attacking midfielders whose runs will have to be tracked by the Reds’ wide centre-backs, wing-backs and midfielders.
Derby also have James Collins who has six goals in nine games against Barnsley – five for Luton and one for Derby in the FA Cup last month – and he is likely to start on the bench.
Bobby Thomas v Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Thomas has made an excellent start to his Barnsley career, since signing on loan from Burnley – impressing in defence while adding an aerial threat in attack from set pieces.
But this is likely to be his most difficult test so far as he comes up against flying winger Mendez-Laing who scored a fine goal in the reverse fixture. He has six goals and seven assists this season.
The Reds will look to dominate that flank with wing-back Jordan Williams a major attacking threat.
James Norwood v Craig Forsyth
Norwood has seven league goals this season and has impressed recently with his finishing as well as energetic pressing and hold-up play. The 32-year-old was brought in to add experience in big games like this.
Forysth is a modern day Derby legend, having made almost 300 appearances for the club across a decade.
He is usually a left-back but has been converted into central defence alongside promising youngster Cashin this season.
The Rams have used other players out of position, such as ex-Red Korey Smith and Louis Sibley who are midfielders currently playing at right-back and left-back.
Luca Connell v Conor Hourihane
Former Barnsley captain Hourihane lost his first meeting with the Reds after leaving in January 2017, a 3-1 home defeat for Aston Villa the following month, but has since won six and drawn one against them for Villa, Swansea, Sheffield United and Derby.
The Reds wanted to bring him back last summer but could not compete with the Rams’ wage offer.
Hourihane has seven goals and six assists this season.
He has been playing in a central midfield two with Tottenham loanee Harvey White, who Barnsley tried to sign in January, with Jason Knight in a slightly more attacking role.
The Reds, who play three in the middle, will hope to outnumber and outrun Derby’s midfield to take control of the game.
Connell is one of the most exciting midfield prospects the Reds have had since Hourihane, also blessed with great ability from set pieces, passing and long-range shots as well as a fierce competitive edge.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Jake Barker, Rams Talk podcast
I am looking forward to going to Oakwell at the weekend for a really big game for both clubs.
Any team would have to go on a sensational run to get in the top two but both Barnsley and Derby are on really good runs already so I am sure they will keep believing until it is mathematically impossible.
I think Derby will approach this match the way they approach every game.
They will be at it from the first whistle, try to get in your face, put you off your game and grab an early goal.
They will be full of confidence after a good win over Charlton.
We’ve only lost three games under Paul Warne.
We hadn’t scored away until he took over but now we’re picking up points away and winning pretty much every home game.
We look strong and resilient which we weren’t before.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Reds 1, Rams 1 – October 19, 1982
Seventeen-year-old substitute Carl Airey headed home an Alan Birch cross with 15 minutes left. That cancelled out a goal by Mike Brolly just before the break.
Reds 0, Rams 1 – November 15, 1986
Allan Clarke’s Barnsley were struggling in the lower reaches of the second tier when they lost to the eventual champions. Phil Gee netted early in the second half.
Reds 2, Rams 1 – August 13, 1994
Danny Wilson – in his first game as Barnsley’s player/manager – saw a shot cannon off the post before being turned in by Andy Rammell. The same player added a second goal then Mark Pembridge made it 2-1 on 29 minutes.
Reds 2, Rams 0 – August 30, 2008
Iain Hume had one of his best games for Barnsley. He opened the scoring after 72 minutes with a spectactular volley then crossed for Stephen Foster to make it 2-0.
Reds 2, Rams 2 – October 2, 2019
Mads Andersen was far from the dominating defender he has since become, at fault for both the Rams goals – including conceding a penalty – as the visitors recovered from Aapo Halme’s early header to lead 2-1 at the break. But a late shot fizzed across goal by Conor Chaplin in the 94th minute touched Cauley Woodrow’s calf and went in.
