There is little riding on this EFL Trophy clash with Barnsley already eliminated from Group G of the Northern Section and Oldham Athletic having confirmed their progress with two wins from two.
Barnsley have lost 4-3 at home to Leeds Under-21s and been routed 4-1 at Fleetwood, whereas Oldham ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Cods and cruised past Leeds’ youngsters 4-2.
Both teams are likely to make changes as a result, looking towards their weekend engagements, and that provides the opportunity for some of their fringe players to stake a claim for more minutes.
That makes for a trappy betting heat but Barnsley were emphatic 7-2 winners at home to Aldershot in the first round of the FA Cup last weekend and will want to go into Saturday’s crunch League One clash with fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic in confident spirits.
Oldham upset Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup first round, building on a 1-0 win at Northampton, so may have one eye on Saturday’s League Two trip to Shrewsbury.
Barnsley v Oldham Athletic Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals @ 1/2
Alternative Bet - Makenzie Kirk anytime goalscorer @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Barnsley to win, Over 2.5 goals & Makenzie Kirk to score @ 13/5
Barnsley v Oldham Athletic Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals @ 1/2
There is no need for either manager to risk getting injuries to star performers with their fate already determined and that should lead to an entertaining EFL Trophy encounter.
Barnsley have lost their two EFL Trophy matches, leaving them bottom of the group, but those defeats featured a total of 12 goals with both teams scoring on each occasion.
The Tykes made light work of National League side Aldershot in the FA Cup at Oakwell on Saturday, winning 7-2, and that means both teams have scored in 14 of their last 15 matches.
However, Daniel Stendel’s side sit second bottom of League One and face what could be a relegation six-pointer at Wigan on Saturday, a side only two places and two points above them in the table.
That will be the priority but the same may apply to Oldham, who are 18th in League Two and travel to Shrewsbury on Saturday.
The Latics have already qualified for the knockout stages so may also opt to make changes and both teams have scored in five of their last nine games.
Oldham have won only one of their eight away matches this season but should still be able to make a mark on this leaky Barnsley defence.
Alternative Bet: Makenzie Kirk anytime goalscorer @ 13/10
Makenzie Kirk has been limited to minutes at Barnsley since arriving on loan from Portsmouth and is expected to lead the line against Oldham.
Kirk is yet to start for Barnsley but has made four appearances for the club, scoring a second-half consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Luton in October.
The 22-year-old played the second half in the FA Cup win against Aldershot and will be keen to grasp his opportunity against Oldham with a goal.
Barnsley v Oldham Athletic Bet Builder Tip
Barnsley to win
Over 2.5 goals
Makenzie Kirk to score
Pays 13/5
Barnsley would normally be expected to have too much quality for Oldham, who have lost seven of the last eight meetings between the sides.
The Latics struggle on their travels, too, so the Tykes are expected to prevail.
Goals look assured - both teams have scored in 13 of Barnsley’s last 14 matches - and Kirk may be able to get on the scoresheet for the home team.
It is still early days in Kirk’s Barnsley career but his four substitute appearances featured a goal against Luton and he should be determined to show what he is capable of when given the opportunity.
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Key Match Stats
Barnsley have won seven of their last eight meetings with Oldham
Oldham have won only one of their eight away games this season, suffering five defeats
Both teams have scored in 13 of Barnsley’s last 14 matches
Oldham have failed to score in only two of their last seven games
Barnsley’s two EFL Trophy matches have featured 12 goals
Oldham have won their last three cup matches, which includes both EFL Trophy outings
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
