Struggling South Yorkshire rivals go head to head

Last updated : 09 February 2018 By C. Morris

Barnsley Vs Wednesday: Team news & preview

Two hopelessly out of form team go head to head at Oakwell on Saturday lunchtime when Sheffield Wednesday make the short trip north to Barnsley.

The injury-hit Owls are short on options to change their fortunes with Keiren Westwood, Tom Lees, Joost Van Aken, Kieran Lee, Barry Bannan, Sam Hutchinson, Marco Matias, Gary Hooper, Steven Fletcher and Fernando Forestieri all not fit to feature and Daniel Pudil suspended.

Barnsley have been rocked by the departure of manager Paul Heckingbottom to Leeds United barely a week after he had signed a new contract with the Tykes. Paul Harsley will take caretaker charge of the home side but will be without injured defenders Zeki Fryers and Adam Jackson and former Wednesday loan-winger Lloyd Isgrove is also a doubt.

On-loan Swansea forward Oli McBurnie could feature and former Nottingham Forest centre-back Matt Mills is likely to be at the heart of the defence following his recent permanent move to Oakwell.

The home side have recorded just 1 win in their last 16 league games and that was away at struggling Sunderland. Their poor form has seen them slip to 21st place in the Championship just 1 point and 1 place above the drop zone.

Like their hosts, Wednesday have been in abysmal form in the league. Prior to Saturday poor home defeat to Birmingham, new manager Jos Luhukay had stemmed the tide with a run of league draws and positive results in the F.A. Cup but in the league the Owls have managed only 1 win in their past 14 matches. They are in 17th place, 6 points above Barnsley so a defeat on Saturday would push them closer to a relegation dogfight.

The two sides drew 1-1 at Hillsborough back in October and Barnsley scored an injury time equaliser to take a point in a 1-1 draw at Oakwell last season. Wednesday have not lost in the last 9 clashes between the two clubs dating back to 2009.