Barnsley can bounce back from rare league loss in the Cup at Southend

Southend v Barnsley

Winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship is Barnsley's top priority but the Tykes would also love a money-spinning FA Cup run and they can reach the third round by beating Sky Bet League One rivals Southend.

Barnsley lost a key league clash on Tuesday, going down 4-2 at Sunderland despite winning the shot count 13 to eight.

But it was their first defeat in eight games and they look a tasty odds-against wager to bounce back.

Barnsley's top scorer Kieffer Moore netted both of their goals at Sunderland – taking his seasonal tally to 12 – and his blossoming strike-partnership with Fulham loanee Cauley Woodrow (three goals in the last five games) looks key to exposing an injury-hit Southend defence.

Southend right-back Jason Demetriou was forced off with a knee injury during Tuesday's 2-0 victory at home to Scunthorpe, joining fellow defenders Harry Lennon, Ben Coker and Harry Kyprianou on the sidelines.

It was a relief for Southend to beat Scunny and end a four-match losing sequence but their performance was far from convincing.

Despite playing against ten men for more than half of the game Southend laboured to the victory and the shot count (13 to seven) was fairly close.

They look more likely to be fighting relegation than chasing the playoffs in the new year and their deficiencies could be exposed this weekend.

Recommendation
Barnsley
2pts 5-4 bet365, Betfred

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Blackburn v Sheffield Wednesday

Under-pressure Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay will be feeling just a little bit more secure after watching his team grind out a 1-0 success at home to Bolton on Tuesday and the Owls can cap off a productive week by taking a least a point off Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Wednesday's midweek clean sheet was their second in three Sky Bet Championship games and they look more of a threat in attack since Fernando Forestieri returned from injury.

The 28-year-old was brought on at half-time on Tuesday and played a part in a much-improved second half performance.

He is likely to have earned a start and has the quality to cause problems to Blackburn's shaky defence.

Rovers have shipped seven goals in their last two games, losing 4-1 at Preston last Saturday and 3-1 at Wigan on Wednesday.

They were battered at Wigan – losing the shot count 17 to six – and look worth a lay against a Wednesday team making small steps in the right direction.

Recommendation
Sheffield Wednesday or draw double chance
1pt 7-8 Betway

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Football Postcast

Derby v Swansea

Results do not always tell the full picture and one of the teams feeling short-changed on Wednesday were Swansea, who played some excellent football in a 2-1 loss at home to West Brom.

Swansea were the better side in open play but paid a heavy price for failing to defend two first half set-pieces and suffered a second successive home defeat, following last Saturday's 4-1 loss to Norwich.

The Welsh club have slipped to 11th and need a response at seventh-placed Derby, who are among their rivals for Sky Bet Championship playoff places.

Improvement at the back is needed but Swansea have picked up some decent away results, winning at Sheffield United (2-1) and Millwall (2-1), and should be competitive against the Rams, who are another side struggling for consistency.

Derby have lost two of their last three including a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in their most recent home game.

Experienced Rams' centre-back Curtis Davies is sidelined after suffering a serious Achilles injury during Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Stoke and his loss could assist the Swans in ending their mini-slump.

Recommendation
Swansea or draw double chance
1pt 20-21 BoyleSports

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Walsall v Sunderland

Sunderland came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Walsall in a Sky Bet League One encounter last Saturday and can do even better in the FA Cup second-round clash at the Bescot by beating the Saddlers at the first attempt.

Failing to beat Sunderland was a huge blow for Walsall, who had a numerical advantage after Max Power was harshly sent off in the 23rd minute.

Power's red card – his third of the season – was rescinded and he will probably take his place in a Sunderland side bidding to extend a 14-match unbeaten run.

The Black Cats want to get out of League One as soon as possible but did a professional job in the FA Cup first round, winning 2-1 at Port Vale, and should be too strong for the Saddlers, who have won just two of their last ten.

Recommendation
Sunderland
1pt 6-5 bet365

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