Just two places separate these two sides in the league and with very little distance separating the clubs, there could be a decent atmosphere at Glanford Park. Both sides have enjoyed respectable starts to the season and despite both being tipped as relegation certainties by the bookies, they both sit just below the mid-table mark.
Their lack of resources means that Scunthorpe are always tipped to struggle although the Iron should be applauded for their position of 16th considering the extra turmoil at Glanford Park. The club lost the highly respected Nigel Adkins to Southampton earlier in the season and it was only last week that Ian Baraclough was promoted from within to take over permanently. Baraclough experienced some very good results and performances during the spell when he was just caretaker boss and the Iron netted another good result by drawing 1-1 with Ipswich in his first game in charge after being handed the reins full time. All in all the Iron’s start to the season is impressive having collected ten points from the first eight games. However, they are still tipped for relegation and at 39, Baraclough’s inexperience is still under question.
Barnsley are one of the strange performers of the league although their supporters would no doubt accept their current position of 14th. They’ve become a highly inconsistent outfit and it’s become clear that Mark Robins’ men will be relying heavily on home form. The club are without a victory on the road since February and having conceded twelve goals in four away fixtures, it seems as though they have some serious problems at the back. However, on the flip side they appear lethal in front of goal and having scored thirteen already, they are one of the division’s top scorers. However, Robins will know the importance of resurrecting this away form and in Scunthorpe, he’ll see an excellent opportunity to jump start things.
It’s mixed news on the team news front for Scunthorpe who look set to be without duo Garry Thompson and Jim McNulty. On the positive side, Rob Jones should feature having shaken off a knee problem. It’s a similar story for Barnsley who are definitely without Jay McEveley through a foot injury, while Garry O’Connor is touch and go as he struggles with a groin issue. Should O’Connor not pull through, Andy Gray is tipped to replace the on loan Birmingham man.
Barnsley might be a couple of places higher in the league, but their away form is dismal and we fully expect Scunthorpe to capitalize in this one. A change in manager often brings the best out of a team and with that, we’ll predict a comfortable home victory for the Iron
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