Match Preview | Wanderers v Barnsley

Barnsley Preview

Festive Football comes to the Toughsheet in this Sky Bet League One Boxing Day clash with Barnsley.

Wanderers are looking to build on their impressive defensive display against Wycombe Wanderers on Friday night, the first team to keep a clean sheet against the league leaders this season.

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Nathan Baxter

Barnsley come into this match wounded after a humbling 4-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient, so will therefore be desperate to respond on Boxing Day.

This will be Darrell Clarke's first game against Wanderers as Barnsley boss, in a matchup where both teams know each other very well.

Manager Quotes

Ian Evatt: "It's a huge chance, another good chance to put some points on the board. A team we know well, a team that's not got that many surprises coming our way and I'm sure they'll feel the same.

"For us, just get to that level of basics that we showed on Friday, the energy, attitude, intensity. When we play with those things, we're a tough team to play against."

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Ian Evatt Wycombe

Team News

Eoin Toal could make his return on Boxing Day after suffering from a hamstring injury in Wanderers' 4-1 away victory over Stevenage back in October.

There will be more reinforcements in the centre-half position, with Ricardo Almeida Santos and George Johnston coming back into the squad after suspension.

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Ricardo Santos

For the visitors, Luca Connell should return to the side following an illness at the weekend. So too should Adam Phillips, who missed their last game after requiring emergency dental treatment.

Form Guide

Wanderers sit outside the top six only on goal difference, therefore a win for the Whites could send them into the Play-Off places.

Ian Evatt's side have won six of their last seven home games - scoring 13 goals - a record that will look to be improved on Boxing Day.

Barnsley are just one place below Wanderers in the table but are a side very much out of form with just one win in eight games, coming against Exeter City on the road.

The visitors have had much more success on their travels than at Oakwell this season, sitting third in the away table.

Kick off

Boxing Day (Thursday) 3pm

Referee

Thomas Kirk

This will be the first time Kirk has officiated Wanderers in a competitive match.

Tickets/Wanderers TV

Secure your seat for our Boxing Day fixture for you and your family HERE.

Audio passes will be available, as always, for UK based supporters. Those based internationally can stream the game through a live video match pass on Wanderers TV.

Click here to purchase your passes.

The game will also be available on Sky Sports+.

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