Barnsley Vs Nottingham Forest
Barnsley Vs Nottingham Forest Sunday 19 July 2020 – 15:00 Kick-Off
English Championship
Pick: Draw
Odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 16 July 2020)
Preview: A match of great importance at differing ends of the Championship as play-off chasing Nottingham Forest travel to South Yorkshire to tackle a Barnsley outfit in desperate peril towards the bottom of the standings.
English Championship Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Barnsley Preview – Back-to-back wins required for rock-bottom Tykes?
The bottom side spurned the opportunity on Thursday to close the gap on those above them, in particular Charlton who occupy the nearest position of safety, after a valiant effort at Elland Road, in which they carved out enough chances to warrant a better outcome, ultimately resulted in a 1-0 defeat to league leaders Leeds. It leaves the club four points adrift of safe ground and on the brink of a swift return to League One.
All is not quite lost for Barnsley (24th– W10 D13 L21). Six points from their final two games – the first at home to Nottingham Forest before a tough trip to high-flying Brentford – would stave off relegation provided Charlton pick up no more than a single points across their final fixtures or Huddersfield lose both of theirs. If all of that appears like asking for a lot, that is because it is. The situation for The Tykes is bleak.
Barnsley returned to action following the restart in decent form, picking up seven of nine points with a couple of ‘to nil’ wins over QPR and Blackburn. Since then, however, it is two points from the last twelve (D2 L2) and only one goal scored in four encounters versus Stoke (4-0), Luton (1-1), Wigan (0-0) and Leeds (1-0). The heavy Stoke loss the only instance in seven post-restart games more than one goal was conceded, though.
Nottingham Forest Preview – Three points good enough to seal play-off spot?
The end of season play-offs beckon for Nottingham Forest (5th – W18 D16 L10). Sabri Lamouchi’s side will finish no lower than sixth should they collect two points from their final two fixtures – though a superior goal difference means even a point should suffice. While that seems a simple enough task, with the relegation threatened pairing of Barnsley and Stoke still to play, this is a team stumbling over the finish without a win in four previous attempts.
Wednesday’s entertaining draw at the City Ground, twice coming from behind courtesy of Sammy Ameobi’s brace to earn a 2-2 draw with promotion hopefuls Swansea, left them winless in four (D3 L1) since back-to-back home wins over Huddersfield and Bristol City. It means that, since the restart, Forest have won twice in seven league outings (W1 D5 L1), and taken less than half of the points available to them (10 out of 21).
Stretching even further back we notice how The Tricky Trees boast three wins in their last thirteen matches (W3 D7 L3) in England’s second tier. Meanwhile, a slender 1-0 scoreline at the Cardiff City Stadium in February remains the last time Forest clinched all three points on their travels, having transitioned into something of away draw specialists: five of their last seven said matches ending in stalemate (W1 D5 L1).
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Barnsley Vs Nottingham Forest Betting Advice
It truly is now or never for Barnsley who, due to an inferior goal difference, would effectively be relegated unless they can record three points here. The hosts are unlikely to be dealt any favours by the opposition either. As while Nottingham Forest arrive winless in four games (D3 L1), the visitors know a win at Oakwell would guarantee them a play-off berth, while even a point would likely suffice.
Barnsley Vs Nottingham Forest – Key Facts
- No team in the English second tier has drawn more frequently at home this season than Barnsley (9 – same as three other teams).
- Nottingham Forest‘s figures for drawn games (16) and away games drawn (11) are both among the highest in the Championship in 2019-20.
- However, it is now seven consecutive head-to-head meetings since these teams contested a draw – though five of those encounters were settled by a single goal.
Due to the dire nature of their circumstances, we can expect another wholehearted effort from Barnsley, who did give a good account of themselves in defeat to leaders Leeds in midweek. Yet it is now no win and one goal scored in four games. It is difficult placing my faith in Forest, though, who are also winless in four, drawing three, and would draw five of the last seven away from home. Another share of the spoils is not out of the question.
Best Betting Odds – Barnsley Vs Nottingham Forest
Barnsley – 17/10 (Betfair)
Draw – 12/5 (Betway)
Nottingham Forest – 17/10 (Unibet)
