Will Blackpool take the momentum with them?
Two of the three teams in the English Championship have no chance of staying in the league two matchdays before the end of the season. One of the two relegated teams is FC Barnsley, bottom of the second English league. The Tykes will bow out of the Championship after a disastrous season and leave the 2021/22 season behind.
Barnsley face their penultimate home game of the current season against Blackpool this week. Unlike the Tykes, the Seasiders from Blackpool will still be in the Championship next season. Nevertheless, the remaining programme in the league no longer has any special significance for Blackpool FC. The play-offs are no longer feasible.
Although Blackpool have not won any of their last four away matches in the Championship, the Seasiders go into the English week match as slight favourites. In the last two matches, head coach Neil Critchley’s team made a good impression. A 6-1 win over Birmingham was followed by a draw at promotion hopefuls Luton Town.
If the Seasiders take the momentum with them, it is obvious that Blackpool FC will also master the match at the Tykes and book at least a point. For Barnsley vs Blackpool, odds of up to 2.50 are currently being offered for tip 2. Given the current form of both clubs, bets on this match are well worth it.
Barnsley – Statistics & current form
Last season, Barnsley FC were still in the promotion play-offs and narrowly failed to reach the semi-finals against Swansea. It was hardly conceivable at the start of the season in the summer of 2021 that the Tykes would have to go down to the third division just one season later. However, just a few matchdays before the end of the current season, relegation has already been sealed.
After the recent defeat against Huddersfield, the Tykes no longer have a mathematical chance of remaining in the Championship. It therefore remains to be seen how the bottom team in the second division will approach the remainder of the season. It is quite possible that the recent negative trend will continue in the remaining matches of the second half of the season.
Barnsley remained winless in their last six competitive matches. The Tykes have even lost four of their last six Championship games, including the home game against relegation rivals Peterborough, where Barnsley even missed out on a goal.
Second weakest home team in the Championship
The defeat to Peterborough was a surprise. Barnsley remained unbeaten in their six previous home games. Among others, the Tykes also scored against the leaders Fulham. Because relegation has already been sealed, it is nevertheless risky to place a bet on the home side in Barnsley vs Blackpool.
The only encouraging factor is the Tykes’ recent home record against Blackpool FC. Barnsley have not lost a league home game against Blackpool since December 2011. There have even been three wins for the Tykes in their last four home games – including three in the Championship. The last time was in April 2019, where Barnsley edged out Blackpool 2-1.
Head coach Asbaghi will only have to do without right-back Callum Brittain for the upcoming match against the Seasiders. There are no other absentees for Barnsley.
Predicted Barnsley line-up:
Walton; Williams, Andersen, Kitching, Vita; Palmer, Wolfe; Styles, Bassi, Iseka; Morris
Last matches played by Barnsley:
Championship
23/04/2022 – Huddersfield 2 – 1 Barnsley
18/04/2022 – Barnsley 0 – 2 Peterboro
15/04/2022 – Swansea 1 – 1 Barnsley
09/04/2022 – Millwall 4 – 1 Barnsley
02/04/2022 – Barnsley 1 – 1 Reading
Blackpool – Statistics & current form
Blackpool, like Barnsley FC, are winding down their season. Unlike the Tykes, however, the Seasiders have secured their place in the Championship next season. Although the season’s final spurt no longer has any special significance, Blackpool FC should by no means be classified as a points supplier.
Last week, the 16th-placed team defied promotion hopefuls Luton Town, currently fifth in the Championship, to earn a point. However, the draw at Luton was Blackpool’s fourth successive win without an away win. The last away win came just under a month ago against Stoke.
In any case, Blackpool’s record away from home is a manageable 4-9-8. On average, less than 2.5 goals per game have been scored in the 21 away games. Nevertheless, a high-scoring encounter cannot be ruled out on Tuesday night. Blackpool’s attack has been warming up in recent weeks, after all.
Will Blackpool win a league game at the Oakwell for the first time since December 2011?
Prior to their recent draw against Luton Town, Blackpool have been successful in their match against Birmingham in the league. The Seasiders netted six goals against the Championship’s 20th-placed side. If the attack takes the recent momentum with it, an offensive spectacle against the relegated Barnsley cannot be ruled out.
If head coach Neil Critchley’s side can get another win in the upcoming match, Barnsley vs Blackpool odds of 2.50 are paid out for a prediction on the visitors.
Critchley will have to do without a total of three players for the game against the Tykes due to injury. As well as keeper Chris Maxwell, Grand Ward and Shayne Lavery continue to rest this week. There are no other absentees for the Seasiders.
Predicted Blackpool line-up:
Moore; Connolly, Ekpiteta, Keogh, Husband; Hamilton, Anderson, Dougall, Kirk; Beesley, Madine
Last matches played by Blackpool:
Championship
23/04/2022 – Luton 1 – 1 Blackpool
18/04/2022 – Blackpool 6 – 1 Birmingham
15/04/2022 – West Bromwich Albion 2 – 1 Blackpool
09/04/2022 – Blackburn 1 – 1 Blackpool
06/04/2022 – Preston 1 – 0 Blackpool
Barnsley – Blackpool Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
This is the 14th time Barnsley and Blackpool have met in the Championship. So far the direct comparison in the second English league is even with a record of 5-3-5. Blackpool celebrated one of the five victories in the first leg of the current season. The Seasiders beat the Tykes 1-0 after a goal from Lavery. The Seasiders are targeting a league double against the Tykes for the first time since the 2008/09 season.
It was the first time Blackpool had won a match against Barnsley since August 2018. Away from home, the Seasiders will be looking to win a league game at the Tykes’ Oakwell for the first time since December 2011. In their last four away games at league level, there have been three defeats and a draw against Blackpool.
Barnsley – Blackpool Tip
Barnsley will bow out of the Championship at the end of the season. The Tykes have no more mathematical chance of staying in the second English league and can let the season fade away. Like Barnsley, Blackpool are also playing for the “golden pineapple” in the Championship.
Unlike Barnsley, however, the Seasiders will still be in the Championship next season. With 57 points to their name, Blackpool have already secured their place in the league. Although the play-offs are no longer viable, the Seasiders have been an unpleasant opponent in recent weeks.
Lately, Blackpool have already scored against the promotion aspirants from Luton. Just a week earlier, head coach Critchley’s side beat Birmingham by an impressive 6-1 scoreline. If they can build on their two recent performances, it’s reasonable to expect at least a point against the Tykes as well.
