Eng. Championship
2013-03-05 - Burnley vs Barnsley
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 5 March 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Burnley
A 0-1 win at Charlton Athletic on Saturday has reinvigorated Burnley's promotion challenge this season, but a poor run of form has left them off the pace despite that win. Sean Dyche is aware that his side are going to need some help if they are to make the Play Offs, although it could be Burnley's own inconsistencies that eventually cost them that chance.
The three points on Saturday moved Burnley up to 11th in the Championship, but they are 8 points behind Brighton in the final Play Off spot despite playing a game more than them. Burnley have a 7-5-5 record at Turf Moor this season, scoring 23 goals and conceding 17 in those games.
Burnley had failed to win any of 6 Championship games before the win at the Valley on Saturday and that run of 6 games had also seen them lose 4 games. The side have won just 1 of their last 5 Championship games at Turf Moor and they have lost 3 of those including 0-1 to Huddersfield Town last week.
Barnsley
After removing Keith Hill as manager, Barnsley had been on a great run of form in recent weeks to move themselves out of the relegation zone. However, the positive vibes of recent results have been lessened somewhat with back to back League defeats, including a 2-3 loss to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday even after Barnsley had come from 0-2 down to pull the game to 2-2.
They do have a FA Cup Sixth Round game at Manchester City to look forward to, but it is very clear that the Championship games do take precedent over a Cup game, even if that helped build the momentum in the League. Barnsley are now 21st in the Championship after results over the weekend, and they are only 1 point clear of Peterborough United and Wolves in the two relegation spots immediately below them, while only 2 points clear of bottom club Bristol City.
Barnsley had been unbeaten in 8 games in all competitions, winning 7 of those, before the back to back League defeats at Bristol City and at home against Bolton. Before their loss at Ashton Gate last weekend, Barnsley had been unbeaten in 5 away games in all competitions and they had won 4 in a row.
Head to Head
Barnsley and Burnley drew 1-1 at Oakwell in the League back in November, while Barnsley beat them 1-0 here in the FA Cup in January.
Last season, Burnley beat Barnsley 2-0 here and they have won 5 of their last 6 at Turf Moor against the Tykes.
Prediction
The Burnley win at the weekend may just have helped them turn a tide in their recent form, but they have continued to struggle to score goals and have failed to score more than 1 goal in 5 straight games in the Championship.
Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for Barnsley in recent games and they have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 away games in all competitions, while they have now scored 17 goals in their last 7 games in all competitions.
Burnley have recently lost to Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town here and they have only scored 2 goals in their last 5 at home. With Barnsley being very productive in front of goal, backing the relegation strugglers at 4.50 to secure three points looks far too big.
The Pick :
Burnley 1-2 Barnsley
