EFL League One preview and tips: Early goal likely as Barnsley host Sheffield Wednesday
- George Dempsey
- 21 March 2023
Two heavyweights of League One clash on Tuesday evening when Barnsley welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Oakwell for what promises to be a mouthwatering South Yorkshire derby.
Goal difference alone gives Barnsley the slight edge on recent form (both have won five and drawn one of their last six games), with only Ipswich Town's 100 percent record bettering their latest results.
Both sides have flown up the table after a sticky start to the season, and the Tykes have won nine of their last 11, dropping points against Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers, but remain unbeaten.
Sheffield Wednesday have gone one better as they've won 11 of their last 13 games, failing to beat promotion chasers Bolton and Ipswich.
Looking specifically at the team's respective home and away form, Barnsley have won nine of their last 10 at home, whilst Wednesday are unbeaten in 10 away from home, winning six.
In trying to split the teams, it is worth noting that 11 of the 17 teams to visit Oakwell have scored at least once. Barnsley are usually the side that opens the scoring in 2023, but they'll have to be wary of Wednesday's habit of scoring early.
Barnsley have overpowered teams at home. Their all-out attacking style has seen them pen teams in and put at least three goals past Plymouth, Portsmouth and Derby, among others.
Wednesday have done an excellent job of keeping things tight on the road. Five of their six wins came by a single goal, with four of them seeing The Owls open the scoring in the first 25 minutes and then shut up shop effectively to win 1-0.
If The Tykes do try to stamp their authority on the game early on then they will need to be aware of the counter-attacking threat.
Wednesday have opened the scoring in seven of their last 11 away games, netting inside 30 minutes in eight of them. They've even made a habit of scoring in the first 10 minutes fairly often, and 20 of their 35 league games have had a goal in the first 15 minutes.
While no other side can beat that record, it's interesting to note Barnsley come close with 17.
Which team scores the first goal could go a long way to dictating the style of game we see, but this is a game in hand on Ipswich for both.
A win for Wednesday would put them six clear and keep them above Plymouth, whilst Barnsley could cut the gap from themselves to Plymouth and Ipswich to five and three points respectively.
It hasn't been in Barnsley's nature to sit off and while a meeting of two top teams at this stage of the season can produce playoff-like football, an early goal could light the touch paper.
Suggested bets
- Both teams to score - Yes
Split one stake between:
- Goal scored 1-10 minutes
- Goal scored 11-20 minutes
