Barnsley vs Swansea City
England - Championship 2020-2021. Jan 16th.

MATCH PREVIEW

Barnsley Bid for Win Number Four

Barnsley begin the weekend ninth in the Championship, three points behind the play-off postions. They look to make it four home league wins in a row when hosting second-placed Swansea City.

This is only their second league game of the new year. The first saw them lose 1-0 away at league leaders Norwich City. They beat League Two Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend and now return to league action.

Barnsley only just avoided relegation last season. No points deduction for Wigan would have seen them going down. They didn't make a good start this term having to wait until their eighth game for the first win of the season. A managerial change saw the appointment of Valerien Ismaël has turne the situation around.

Instead of worrying about relegation, they are now dreaming of a return to the Premier League. Away form is still a problem for them with six league defeats this season, though three of the last five have been won and the two losses against top sides. One of those was a 2-0 loss at Swansea, the week before Christmas.

Now they look for revenge in the reverse fixture. Their last eight home league games have produced six wins and losses to Brentford and Bournemouth. Note how Barnsley still tend to lose to the better teams in the league.

Even with improved form, Barnsley have conceded in each of their last five home league games. The last three have all ended in 2-1 wins for Barnsley but there's tougher opposition for them this weekend.

Swansea in Good Form

Swansea come into this match having lost just one of their last eight league matches. By the time this game begins, Swansea could be down to fourth in the table. Going into the weekend, they only lead Bournemouth by a point with Brentford two adrift. They trail leaders Norwich City by four points but will hope Cardiff do them a favour by beating the Canaries.

The last four away league and cup games have all had exactly two goals scored in them. Three have seen Swansea win 2-0, the other was a loss at Derby County by the same scoreline. Only one of their last eight Championship fixtures has seen both teams score, so perhaps best to avoid that one.

Jamal Lowe scored twice in their last league game, a 2-1 home win over Watford. He's scored in four of the last five league games in which Swansea have scored. He's definitely a great bet for the anytime scorer market.

Away form this season has been a bit up and down with five wins and three losses. Not that many goals being scored though with all but one of their 11 games having under 2.5 goals scored. Definitely a market to bet on in this game.

Barnsley don't do well against the best in the Championship. A bet on an away win and under 2.5 goals is one that can be a winner.