Can Bristol City Extend Lead With Barnsley Win?

Barnsley will travel to league leaders Bristol City on Saturday knowing that a victory could see them move into the play-off zone and dent, at least slightly, their opponents` automatic promotion hopes. The visitors are just one point behind Peterborough who occupy the last play-off position and will move above them should they beat City and the Posh fail to get the better of Coventry. Such is the close nature of League One, a defeat for the seventh placed Tykes could see them drop to as low as 10th.

Steve Cotterill`s hosts currently sit in first place, 10 points better off than second placed Preston North End. City are also 13 points from falling out of the automatic promotion places all together meaning that even a mixed run from now until the end of the season should be enough to see them secure promotion to the Championship. Both Preston and third placed Swindon do have one game in hand over the Football League Trophy winners however.

Bristol City and Barnsley have met just the once this season, that being in the reverse fixture in Yorkshire back in October. That match ended a 2-2 draw with the home side being under the stewardship of former manager Danny Wilson.

The match was goalless right up until nine minutes before the end of the first half when City`s Luke Ayling provided the opener. It was down to Danny Winnall to equalise 15 minutes after the restart before Conor Hourihane put Barnsley in front for the first time from the penalty spot. Aaron Wilbraham levelled up for the West Country side just 10 minutes from full time to see the spoils shared.

Betvictor`s 17/1 says that the encounter will end as a 2-2 tie once again whilst the price is 19/4 (Bwin) should you think that exactly four goals will be scored in the match. Luke Ayling is 28/1 with both bet365 and Betvictor to break the deadlock once again with 11/4 (betfair, paddy Power) saying that a penalty will be awarded at any point during the tie.

Despite being unable to get their noses in front at the crucial time last time out, it is the home side who are the favourites to pick up all three points and extend their lead at the top of League One. Most bookmakers are offering 8/13 on a Bristol City win. Conversely, those interested can scoop Barnsley at a price of 5/1 at both bet365 and boylesports to win by any means whilst another draw can be backed at 16/5 (bet365, betfred, Betvictor, Totesport).

The hosts are currently unbeaten in seven League one games and eight games in all competitions, having also picked up 10 points from their last five home matches. City kept a clean sheet in four of these five matches and, as a result, a home win to nil is available at a price of 7/4 (Coral, Skybet) and a goalless draw can be picked up at the best price of 12/1 (bet365, Coral).

Having both scored two goals in these last five home games, both Wilbraham and Aden Flint are the club`s top scorers for this period. The former opened the scoring on both occasions and is 9/2 (bet365, betfred, Betvictor, Skybet) to do so again tomorrow. Flint is a 9/2 chance with betfred to hit the back of the net at any time.

Barnsley have been under the tenure of Johnson for six games now and are yet to be unbeaten under the former Oldham boss. Away from home the Tykes have picked up two wins and a draw, scoring four goals and conceding just one. Coral`s 10/3 says that they can hit the back of the net over 1.5 times against City.

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27/03/2015     © Frixo 2026