Barnsley vs. Sheffield Wednesday: preview and betting tips

The highlight of Monday’s football programme will be Barnsley’s match with Sheffield. The final of the Championship play-offs pits two teams who were relegated last year against each other. What to expect from the game and what to bet on?

Barnsley are in far from ideal form, winning only one of their last five games, fortunately for them it was in the semi-final against Bolton. They made it into the Championship play-offs mainly due to a good winter season.

Sheffield, on the other hand, benefited from a good end to the season, missing out on direct promotion by just three points. It has won five of its last six games, most recently in the semi-final at home to Peterborough, incredibly turning a 0-4 draw into a 6-5 win.

Barnsley’s key figures

The home side are paced by striker and former England Under-19 international Devante Cole, he has netted 16 goals and assisted three times so far. It is impossible to imagine Barnsley’s game without central midfielder Adam Phillips, author of ten goals and eight assists.

Key Sheffield players

At the tip of the attack, Michael Smith is killing chances, the English playmaker has netted 20 goals and assisted eight times. In midfield, Jos Windas is thriving, the experienced number ten has scored 15 goals and assisted seven more.

The home side are not doing well away from home, winning only one of their last eight games away from home. At the same time, the offense has struggled, with Barnsley striking more than once in only one of the past five games.

In addition, Sheffield have shut down their defensive line, scoring more than once in only one of their last five games. Overall, they have only received 37 goals in 46 rounds, with only two teams – Bolton and Ipswich Town – doing better.

Considering the excellent atmosphere in the Sheffield squad after a fantastic turnaround, the good defensive form and the poor current form of Barnsley, I think Wednesday can make the step up.

Source: Livesport