Two relegation threatened sides go head to head in the Championship on Saturday as Stoke welcome Barnsley to trhe Bet365 Stadium.
When and Where?
The game will take place at the Bet365 stadium on Saturday 4th July 2020 with kick off at 3pm.
Previous Meetings
This will be the 60th meeting between the two sides in all competitions and they have an almost insuperable record with Barnsley winning 22 of those and Stoke winning 21. When the two sides met at Oakwell in November it was a winning start for Michael O’Neill as his side ran out 4-2 winners in his first game in charge.
The last time the Yorkshire club won an away game at Stoke was 2007 when a Istvan Ferenczi goal was enough to separate the two sides in a 1-0 win for Barnsley.
Team News
Nick Powell is back in the fold for Stoke having served his one-match suspension, and the midfielder is in line for a return to the first XI.
O'Neill could opt to shuffle the pack again as Stoke look to arrest their slump, with Bruno Martins Indi, Tommy Smith and Tyrese Campbell all in contention to feature from the first whistle.
Joe Allen is the only injury concern for the Potters at the moment, with the midfielder not expected to play a part before the season is over.
Romal Palmer was forced off through injury in Barnsley's victory over Blackburn, but otherwise Struber has a clean bill of health for the weekend trip to Staffordshire.
Young goalkeeper Jack Walton has impressed between the sticks since making the starting line-up in June, Chaplin could be rewarded with a start following his goal against Blackburn.
Last Five Games
Stoke City
(L) 0-3 vs Wigan
(L) 0-2 vs Middlesborough
(D) 1-1 vs Reading
(W) 5-1 vs Hull
(D) 1-1 vs Lutonn Town
Barnsley
(W) 2-0 vs Blackburn)
(D) 0-0 vs Millwall
(W) 1-0 vs QPR
(L) 0-2 vs Cardiff City
(L) 0-2 v Reading
Prediction
Barnsley have been in good form since the return of football and appear to be dragging themselves towards safety in the Championship despite still sitting in the bottom three. Saturday offers both these sides to give themselves a chance to survive but it will be a tense occasion and the points will be shared.
Stoke City 1-1 Barnsley
Match Preview written by Ryan Day
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