League One preview and odds: Barnsley vs Scunthorpe

Published on: 22/03/2016

League One preview and odds: Barnsley vs Scunthorpe

March 25, 2016 15:00pm - Oakwell

League One

Two teams with play-off ambitions will battle it out on Good Friday as sixth-ranked Barnsley welcome tenth-ranked Port Vale to Oakwell.

Barnsley the form team in League One

After a shaky start to the season, Barnsley eventually found their stride and are now the in-form team in League One. No team have accumulated more points over the last 10 games than the Tykes who now sit in sixth place with a total of 58 points.

Paul Heckingbottom`s men will attempt to further consolidate their position in the play-off zone when they welcome Port Vale to Oakwell on Friday. They will come into this match in buoyant mood after easing to a 2-0 win at Fleetwood last time out to record their 12th victory in their last 15 League One matches.

Despite their strong form, Barnsley remain just three points ahead of 10th-ranked Port Vale and just six points ahead of this week`s opponents. With such congestion in League One, a defeat could see them slip back into a mid-table position.

Only three teams have scored more than Barnsley`s total of 59 League One goals this season, and no team has drawn as fewer games as the Yorkshire side (4).

Five draws in six for Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe United also have their sights set on the play-offs, although there are at least a dozen teams that can still claim to be in the race for the top six places. A win this weekend would certainly boost their chances of making a late challenge, while a defeat would leave them with an almost impossible task.

The Iron`s have drawn five of their last six games and need to start turning those stalemates into victories soon. Their hopes may depend on in-form striker Paddy Madden who has bagged 17 League One goals this season.

Recent form (League)

Barnsley: WDWWW

Scunthorpe: DDWDD

Betting odds and tips

Scunthorpe have won just one of their last seven and are up against the form team in the league. Barnsley slipped up at home to Southend in their last game at Oakwell but bounced back to record their 12th win in 15 matches the following week.

Barnsley can be backed at 11/10 with Bet365.

In-form Barnsley striker Sam Winnall can be backed at 13/10 to score against his old club - also with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 22/03/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/03/2016 13:42:28) but are subject to change.