Barnsley v West Brom predictions: Take the Tykes to stop the rot

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Barnsley v West Brom in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Barnsley or draw double chance
1pt 21-20 Betfred, BoyleSports

Team news

Barnsley
Aapo Halme hasn't featured since September but the Tykes have reported no fresh problems.

West Brom
Cedric Kipre, Semi Ajayi, Matt Clarke and Conor Townsend are still self-isolating after positive Covid-19 tests and Dara O'Shea (ankle) remains injured.

Match preview

West Brom manager Valerien Ismael worked wonders in his previous job at Barnsley, steering them to last season's Championship playoffs, but his return to Oakwell on Friday could be a difficult experience.

Ismael deserves a decent reception from the Barnsley faithful after taking them to within touching distance of the Premier League, but his main focus will be on claiming three points as his West Brom side chase down the Championship's top two.

Albion have been edging closer to promotion rivals Fulham and Bournemouth lately, and victory over Barnsley would take them to within two points of the summit.

However, Ismael's preparations for the fixture have been severely hampered by a Covid-19 outbreak which is expected to rule out Cedric Kipre, Semi Ajayi, Matt Clarke and Conor Townsend for a second successive game.

All of the affected players are defenders of who three are centre-backs so Ismael is having to get creative with his team selections.

Midfielder Jake Livermore and winger Adam Reach filled two positions in a back three for last Saturday's 1-0 success over Reading and coped reasonably well - in part thanks to a lack of attacking intent from their injury-hit opponents.

However, Barnsley are likely to play with greater ambition and could be rewarded with a much-needed positive result.

New Barnsley boss Poya Asbaghi has instilled greater intensity into the Tykes' performances and was pleased with elements of Saturday's 2-1 loss at Preston.

He urgently needs points on the board but his team are facing the Baggies at an opportune moment and they look decent value to pick up at least a point.

Key stat

West Brom have won just one of their last six away fixtures.

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