Barnsley v Leeds United Betting Tips – EFL Championship, 15th September 12.30pm
Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and Leeds United meet at Oakwell in the EFL Championship on Sunday. Marcelo Bielsa’s boys will want to hit back after losing to Swansea City in the battle at the top last time out. As for the Tykes, they are searching for their first win since beating Fulham on the opening of the Championship season. Can Barnsley cause an upset, or will Leeds get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon?
Barnsley v Leeds United Betting Odds*
Barnsley 11/2
Draw 10/3
Leeds United 1/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on September 13th, 2019 at 15:30 p.m.)
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Table of Contents
Barnsley News and Form – Can the Tykes spring a surprise?
Barnsley kicked off their season in the best possible way, beating Scott Parker’s Fulham – who had just dropped out of the Premier League – 1-0 at Oakwell. Luke Thomas’ early strike did the damage in that one.
Since then, though, the Tykes have lost three and drawn two of their following five in the Championship. Barnsley’s drop in form has seen them slip down to 21st place in the table, just a point above the relegation zone.
Daniel Stendel’s men were outstanding in EFL League One last season, finishing runners-up behind Luton Town. The Yorkshire outfit won 26 times, drew 13 games and lost only seven to collect 91 points from a possible 138.
After falling to back-to-back defeats to Birmingham City (2-0) and Luton (3-1), Stendel’s men battled to a 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium last time out.
Barnsley were unbeaten at home in the league last season, winning 15 and drawing eight, and their recent defeat to Luton was their first home league reverse since losing to Millwall in the Championship back in March 2018.
Barnsley v Leeds United Head to Head
In the 2017-18 Championship campaign, Leeds did the double over Barnsley
Barnsley have won just one of their last six meetings with Leeds
When the pair last squared off at Oakwell, Samuel Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski scored in a 2-0 Leeds win
United have won two of their last three at the Tykes’ home
- Barnsley have not won since the opening weekend
- Leeds have won four of their opening six
- United have a 100% away record so far
Leeds United News and Form – Whites to strike back with three points?
Leeds United started their season like a house on fire. The Whites looked the strongest team in the league, picking up four wins and a draw from their opening five. However, Leeds fell to their first league loss of the season last time out.
In the battle of the top two at Elland Road before the break, Steve Cooper’s Swansea City came out on top. It was an extremely close affair, but Wayne Routledge’s late goal won the points for the Swans. Bielsa’s team now sit third on 13 points, a point behind Charlton Athletic and three adrift of Swansea.
Still, Leeds have been in sparkling form away from home in the Championship so far this season. United have won three out of three, the only team to do so, scoring eight and shipping just one. Leeds have beaten Bristol City (3-1), Wigan (2-0) and Stoke City (3-0).
After losing on penalties to the Potters in the Carabao Cup before crashing to defeat to Swansea in the league, Leeds will be eager to get back to winning ways at the weekend. The Whites make the short trip to Oakwell as the 1/2 favourites to leave with all three points.
Barnsley v Leeds United Tips & Odds
Leeds United to win -1 at 5/4
Patrick Bamford to score first at 3/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on September 13th, 2019 at 15:40 p.m.)
Barnsley v Leeds United Predictions
Leeds United win: Barnsley’s fortunes have turned around since their superb opening weekend win over Fulham. Championship life can be difficult after stepping up from the third tier, and things won’t get easier when they take on the title favourites at the weekend. Having said that, the Tykes have been excellent at Oakwell since Stendel arrived.
Leeds, though, have been the best away team in the Championship so far, cruising to successive wins at Bristol City, Wigan and Stoke. United should secure a fourth away victory of the season on Sunday, and I feel that there’s great value in bet365’s 5/4 for United to win -1.
Patrick Bamford has been in phenomenal form at the start of this season. The striker has helped himself to four Championship goals in his first six games, with three of those coming in the last four. Bamford is one of the favourites to win the Championship Golden Boot, and the 26-year-old is priced at 3/1 to open the scoring at Oakwell this Sunday.
