The Royals head north in search of another away win, following Saturday’s 2-1 at Posh.
After a quality win against Peterborough United, Reading are looking for their second away victory on the bounce for the first time since November 2021 when they won at Birmingham City and Swansea City.
Last time travelling to Barnsley, the Royals took the lead twice, but both times the Reds were able to equalise within quick succession and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Barnsley are coming into this having drawn at Cambridge United and lost at home to Wigan Athletic, meaning they are one of five teams - including Reading - on 26 points. The playoff contenders are looking to bounce back after this drop in form.
In this preview I will talk about how Reading can exploit this small drop in form that Barnsley are having, players who have played for both, a new extract in which I will be getting other people’s opinions on key players who will shine in the game and their predictions, as well as my own predicted lineup and score predictions.
What? League One matchday 16
Season? 2024/25
Who? Barnsley
Where? Oakwell Stadium
When? Tuesday November 26
Time? 19:45
Opposition manager? Darrell Clarke
As readers know by now I like to talk about players, formations and tactics that the Royals could exploit going into the next game.
As Barnsley fan Callum Fowler says later in the preview, the Tykes have been far from their best this season, especially when at home, but they still find themselves inside the top six. At home they’ve played eight games, winning twice, losing twice and drawing four times. So what is it about the side that can’t seem to win in front of their home crowd?
Another thing Callum mentions is that Davis Keillor-Dunn doesn’t seem to be taking his chances. The makeshift striker has had 34 attempts on goal this season (11 on target) and has only scored three times.
He is under-performing his expected goals (xG) which is currently at 4.45. Comparing this to our makeshift striker this season in Harvey Knibbs, he’s scored four goals from 17 shots (seven on target) and is over-performing his xG of 2.33. With double the amount of shots, Dunn has only scored one more goal.
Stats suggest another draw between the sides. Barnsley currently average 1.25 points per game at home this season, with the Royals averaging 1 point per game away from home.
When I watched the Barnsley vs Wigan highlights, it seemed to be that every chance Wigan had came down the Barnsley right-hand side with a ball into the box. Playing a three at the back leaves a lot of space down the flanks while a back four would have its full-backs.
This would mean that if a wing-back is left hanging up the pitch, the centre-back would have to cover this space. This then leaves space in the backline for a player to run into to create a crossing opportunity, and that is exactly how Wigan got their goal last weekend.
The Royals Review Podcast: “Reading will continue their scoring run. The Royals have scored in all of their last six visits to Oakwell as well as scoring in all bar one of their away fixtures this season. With Harvey Knibbs on fire and Sam Smith back we’re positive that Reading will be among the goals.
“Score prediction? 1-1. Why? All of the last five meetings at Oakwell have been a draw. More positively the Royals are undefeated away at Barnsley in their last 11 in all competitions.
“Player to have a huge game: Joel Pereira. Only Stockport County have had more attempts on goal (231) this season in League One than Barnsley (226), so Reading’s stopper could be in for a tough game. That said, he’s proving this season that he is more than capable between the sticks and we’ve seen over the last few games especially how important he is to the success of this Reading side.”
Talk Reading: “Score prediction 1-1, players to shine Tyler Bindon and Chem Campbell.”
Callum Fowler (Barnsley fan): “We’re awful at home so there’s always a chance for anybody that comes to nick something. For the most part we weren’t good this season, but since the international break we have been a lot better.
“Top six at the end of November when we’ve not been anywhere near how good we can be, I think any of us would take that. Stephen Humphrys and Adam Phillips are the real danger men, but if Dunn starts taking these chances, he could score five in one game. I think we will win 2-1 but I’m deluded and bias.”
Simeon Pickup (TTE editor): “A draw seems the likeliest option, given our tendency to get that result at Oakwell, but after improving on 2023/24’s result at Peterborough United at the weekend, why not the same again on Tuesday? Our away form has been improving recently and could well have included a win at Stevenage - as well as the victories at Exeter City and Posh - so confidence should be high at Barnsley.
“At this point I could play it relatively safe and go for 2-1 or 1-0, but I’ll stick my neck out and say Reading will win 4-2. Smith will get a brace, Knibbs will score and Bindon will get the fourth. Barnsley will grab two in the second half at some point to keep us on our toes.
“After a slightly quieter game than usual, Lewis Wing will be back to his best and run the show in the middle of the park. Oh and he’ll grab a couple of assists too.”
Players who have played for both
Reading captain Andy Yiadom has played 201 times for the club since joining from Barnsley in 2018.
He has scored four goals and become a great leader in and out of the dressing room, making media appearances while being injured, including that amazing night at The Purple Turtle. He is some leader and I cannot wait for him to come back from injury in the New Year.
He joined Barnsley in 2016 and played 64 times for the Reds in that spell. Since his second year at Barnsley, Yiadom had become an influential player in the Ghanaian national team, making 29 appearances.
Another current Royal to have played for Barnsley is David Button. In his final loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, the keeper played nine times for the Tykes.
In 2023 he joined Reading from West Bromwich Albion, and he has played 37 times for the Royals since. Button has become an influential player in the side and done well when he has stepped in for star ‘keeper Pereira.
Outstandingly still playing at 39, Leroy Lita joined the Royals in 2005, playing 83 games and scoring 20 goals in the four years he was at the club. One of my favourite-ever players, the striker is still playing this season, having scored three goals in eight games for Southern League Premier Division Central club Barwell.
He played for Barnsley 19 times after signing from Swansea City in 2014, scoring twice.
Former Premier League champion Danny Drinkwater is another to have played for both the Royals and the Reds. He signed for Barnsley in 2011 when he played 17 games, scoring one goal and assisting six in this time.
He later won the Premier League with Leicester City before moving to Chelsea, who loaned him out to the Royals in 2021/22. He played 33 games, scoring one goal and getting one assist for the club.
After leaving Reading he was released from Chelsea and later retired in 2022.
Joel Pereira starts in goal. I agree with what the Royals Review Podcast has said in that I think he will have a busy game.
Our back line will be similar to Saturday but can’t be the same due to an injury and suspension to Amadou Mbengue. It will consist of Michael Craig, Tyler Bindon, Abraham Kanu and Jeriel Dorsett. I think Dorsett played extremely well in the last game and goes a little under the radar with some of his performances.
The rest of the team will stay the same. This means the midfield three will be Ben Elliott, Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage. Savage is another player who I think had an amazing game at London Road.
Our front three of Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Chem Campbell will cause the Barnsley defence some problems and I expect Campbell to be on the scoresheet once again.
Score prediction: 1-1
I am going with the majority here in thinking this game will follow the streak of draws that happens at Oakwell.
Good luck to the Royals that are travelling to the game!
Come on you Royals!
