Bournemouth vs Barnsley
11th September 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 5/2 odds taken 0843 GMT, Friday 10 September
After the first international break of the 2021-22 season, the EFL Championship is back with a bang this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Bournemouth welcome Barnsley to the Vitality Stadium. These two reached the play-offs last term and will be aiming for a top-six finish this time around. Who will come out on top in this early-season clash in Dorset? We have the latest odds and betting tips.
Table of Contents
Bournemouth Preview – Can the Cherries pick up first win in four?
Scott Parker has made a steady start to life at the Vitality Stadium, with Bournemouth winning two and drawing three of their opening five fixtures. The Cherries are one of just four unbeaten teams left in the Championship.
After two wins in a row, Bournemouth have failed to win in their last two, though. They let a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 at home with Blackpool before drawing 0-0 at Hull City before the international break. In between those draws was a humbling 6-0 defeat at Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
After no wins in three league and cup matches, Parker’s boys will be after all three points in front of their home supporters on Saturday. Bournemouth head into this one as the bookies’ favourites at 4/5.
Barnsley Preview – Can the Tykes return to Yorkshire with a positive result?
Valerien Ismael did an outstanding job at Barnsley last season, guiding the Tykes to the play-offs against all odds. Ismael left for West Bromwich Albion in the summer, with Markus Schopp replacing him. The Austrian has had a mixed bag of results so far.
Barnsley have won one, lost one and drawn three of their opening five Championship matches. As a result, the Yorkshire side are languishing in 14th in the early-season table. After no wins in three in the Championship, Schopp’s side will be looking to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
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Barnsley may have finished above Bournemouth in the 2020-21 Championship table, but the Tykes are the underdogs in this one. The bookies currently have the away win available at 15/4.
Bournemouth vs Barnsley Betting Advice
Both fixtures between the pair last season were eventful in their own right. Bournemouth ran out 4-0 winners at Oakwell in December, with Philip Billing, Dominic Solanke, Diego Rico and Sam Surridge on target.
Barnsley got revenge when the pair squared off at the Vitality a few months later, though. In an outstanding game, Carlton Morris hit the winner ten minutes from time to give the Yorkshire club a 3-2 win.
Key Facts – Bournemouth vs Barnsley Betting Tip
- Bournemouth have won three of the previous four meetings
- The Tykes edged a five-goal thriller at the Vitality when they last met
- Barnsley have lost just one of their last five visits to Bournemouth
On paper, these two teams seem well matched. Bournemouth may have the slight edge when it comes to ability, but Barnsley’s togetherness is as strong as anyone’s in the Championship these days. This could go either way, but we fancy the Tykes to leave with a point. The draw is available at 5/2.
Philip Billing scored the opening goal in Bournemouth’s 4-0 win at Oakwell last year. The Denmark ace scored three goals in the first three league and cup matches of this season. Back Billing to score anytime here at 23/10.
The best betting odds for Bournemouth vs Barnsley
Bournemouth to win: 4/5 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bet365
Barnsley to win: 15/4 at Bet365
