Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Sixteen: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Barnsley

Early Reds Teams

Bobby Hassell could force his way onto the bench after scoring in the Reserves 9-1 hammering of Grimsby in midweek, likewise striker Kim Christensen will be banging on the door after netting a hat-trick in that game.

But boss Simon Davey is likely to stick with the starting eleven that saw off Preston and Blackpool over the weekend.

Istvan Ferenczi scored a goal in each game to show no ill effects of his ankle injury whilst Jon Macken should partner him for his away game as a Barnsley player.

Nick Colgan may force his way back onto the bench after being left out last weekend.

Probable Line-Up:

Heinz Muller

Stephen Foster

Lewin Nyatanga

Dennis Souza

Rob Kozluk

Martin Devaney

Brian Howard ©

Sam Togwell

Jamal Campbell-Ryce

Istvan Ferenczi

Jon Macken

Head to Head

The Reds head to Molineux looking for their first win in 11 attempts. We have also lost on out last four visits.

The last meeting was on the first day of 2007 when Wolves ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. That game marked the first as Simon Davey's permanent reign.

At Oakwell though The Reds picked up their first clean sheet of the 2006-2007 season when Wolves visited. Marc Richards netted the only goal in a 1-0 win in September 2006.

Barnsley 1-0 Wolves

Richards 10

Teams:

Barnsley: Colgan ,Tonge ,Hassell ,Kay ,Heckingbottom ,Devaney (Healy ,77 ) ,Togwell ,Howard ,McIndoe ,Hayes (Wright ,80 ) ,Richards (Williams ,89)

Subs not used: Mannone,McParland,

Wolves: Murray ,Little ,Breen ,Craddock ,Edwards (Mulgrew ,77 ) ,Potter ,Olofinjana ,Gobern (Cort ,62 ) ,Bothroyd (Leon Clarke ,45 ) ,Ricketts ,Johnson

Subs not used Henry,Ikeme,

Wolves 2-0 Barnsley

Henry 52

Olofinjana 78

Wolves: Murray ,McNamara (Edwards ,88 ) ,Neill Collins ,Breen ,Little ,McIndoe ,Olofinjana ,Henry ,Potter ,Kightly (Mark Davies ,89 ) ,Davies (Johnson ,79)

Subs not used: Oakes,Leon Clarke,

Barnsley: Colgan ,Hassell ,Kay ,Atkinson ,Austin ,Devaney ,Reid (Heckingbottom ,85 ) ,Togwell ,McCann (Reid ,74 ) ,Hayes (Knight ,85 ) ,Nardiello

Subs not used Letheren,Richards,

Most Barnsley fans though will remember Wolves for the epic battle the two sides had in getting into the Premiership in the 1996-1997 season. Of course Barnsley were successful despite losing and drawing with Wolves during the season. Barnsley claimed 2^nd with Wolves finishing 3^rd but under Barnsley legend Mick McCarthy will be a tough proposition 10 years on, especially with The Reds dire record at Molineux.

Last 6 Barnsley v Wolves Results:

1/1/07 Wolves 2-0 Barnsley (Championship)

16/9/06 Barnsley 1-0 Wolves (Championship)

29/1/02 Barnsley 1-0 Wolves (Division One)

27/11/01 Wolves 4-1 Barnsley (Division One)

2/12/00 Wolves 2-0 Barnsley (Division One)

24/10/00 Barnsley 1-2 Wolves (Division One)

Overall Record:

Barnsley Wins: 27

Wolves Wins: 29

Draws: 17

Barnsley Goals: 109

Wolves Goals: 124

This Season:

Both sides have made great starts in the 2007-2008 Championship campaign and both sides sit around the top six with 23 points from 15 matches.

Wolves have shot into 6^th with just one defeat in their last 9 matches but have lost twice at Molineux this term- to Watford and Hull. They are though without a win in three. Last season they were defeated in the Play-Off Semi-Finals by hated local rivals West Brom

Last time out Wolves earned a credible 0-0 draw at Southampton that moved them into 6^th spot.

Barnsley meanwhile are buoyed by back to back wins over Preston and Blackpool last weekend which has seem them into 8^th. But must improve on a poor away record. Just the 1 success at Southampton coupled with defeats to West Brom, Hull and Leicester.

A win tomorrow would see The Reds leapfrog Wolves and they could go as high as 4^th, likewise for Wolves, 4^th is open for them with victory.

Last 6 2007-2008 Results:

Wolves:

6/11/07 Southampton 0-0 Wolves (Championship)

3/11/07 Wolves 1-1 Bristol City (Championship)

27/10/07 Ipswich 3-0 Wolves (Championship)

24/10/07 Cardiff 2-3 Wolves (Championship)

20/10/07 Wolves 2-0 Charlton (Championship)

6/10/07 Wolves 1-0 Coventry (Championship)

W:3 D:2 L:1 F:7 A:6 GD:+1 Points:11

Barnsley:

5/11/07 Barnsley 2-1 Blackpool (Championship)

3/11/07 Barnsley 1-0 Preston (Championship)

27/10/07 Leicester 2-0 Barnsley (Championship)

22/10/07 Hull 3-0 Barnsley (Championship)

20/10/07 Barnsley 1-1 Burnley (Championship)

6/10/07 Charlton 1-1 Barnsley (Championship)

W:2 D:2 L:2 F:5 A:8 GD: -3 Points:7

Wolves lie 6^th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 23 points from 15 games.

Barnsley lie 8^th in the Coca-Cola Championship with 23 points from 15 games.