Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Sixteen: Barnsley v Sheffield United - Barnsley FC

Barnsley have just one absentee for this eagerly anticipated South Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United. Captain Stephen Foster picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 win at Peterborough last weekend so suffers a one match suspension. This should see full back Ryan Shotton come across into the centre- where he has played before for Stoke Reserves- and either Bobby Hassell or ex Blade Rob Kozluk will slot in at right back. If Hassell plays it will be his first appearance since September. Emil Hallfredsson should also be fit after missing the Peterborough game but manager Mark Robins could stick with a winning midfield.

Iain Hume, facing United for the first time since his fractured skull will probably be on the bench.

Likely Lineup:

Luke Steele

Carl Dickinson

Darren Moore

Ryan Shotton

Bobby Hassell/ Rob Kozluk

Anderson De Silva

Hugo Colace

Nathan Doyle

Adam Hammill

Jon Macken

Daniel Bogdanovic

Head To Head

Sheffield United have certainly got the Indian sign over Barnsley since The Reds returned to the Championship in 2006- winning all four meetings in that time. Before this The Reds were unbeaten against in the Blades in ten meetings, five of which were draws. No such luck recently however. In 2007-2008, The Blades won 1-0 home and away whilst last season saw two 2-1 victories for Kevin Blackwell’s side including that infamous Oakwell meeting exactly a year ago yesterday which as well as Hume’s injury saw Ugo Ehiogu and Anderson De Silva sent off for fighting. The Blades have a decent record at Oakwell winning ten of the 29 meetings compared with Barnsley’s eight and are unbeaten at Oakwell since November 1999.

Sheffield United 2-1 Barnsley Match Report 7/4/09

Barnsley 1-2 Sheffield United Match Report 8/11/08

Barnsley 0-1 Sheffield United Match Report 22/3/08

Overall Record:

Barnsley Wins: 14

Sheffield United Wins: 25

Draws: 19

Barnsley Goals: 63

Sheffield United Goals: 94

At Oakwell:

Barnsley Wins: 8

Sheffield United Wins: 10

Draws: 11

Barnsley Goals: 35

Sheffield United Goals: 42

This Season

After missing out on promotion to the Premier League in the Play-Off Final last season it was expected Sheffield United would make another big push to return to the big time. That may still happen but they seem to currently be suffering from last season’s exertions. The Blades started the season in good form and were unbeaten in their first six games. A number of injuries have taken their toll however (they go into tonight’s game missing at least ELEVEN first team players) and the Blades are currently on their worst run for nine years having lost their last four games and they haven’t won in seven attempts. They have not lost five on the bounce since the start of the 1995-1996 season. This terrible run has left them 10 points off the play-off places.

Barnsley are looking for only their third home league win of the season, and have lost four of their seven home matches- although only one has come under Robins stewardship. If The Reds avoid defeat tonight they will become the highest placed team in Yorkshire, leapfrogging both Sheffield United and Wednesday.

Last six 2009-2010 Results

Barnsley:

31/10/09 Peterborough 1-2 Barnsley (Championship)

27/10/09 Barnsley 0-2 Manchester United (League Cup)

24/10/09 Barnsley 2-3 Bristol City (Championship)

20/10/09 Nottingham Forest 1-0 Barnsley (Championship)

17/10/09 Doncaster 0-1 Barnsley (Championship)

3/10/09 Barnsley 2-1 Ipswich (Championship)

W: 3 D: 0 L: 3 F: 7 A: 8 GD: -1 Points: 9

Sheffield United:

2/11/09 Sheffield United 0-1 Newcastle (Championship)

24/10/09 Sheffield United 3-4 Cardiff (Championship)