Barnsley v Scunthorpe Preview

This is a fixture involving two of the division’s most unfashionable clubs and the result here could have a huge bearing on the whole relegation story. Barnsley looked to be well out of trouble a few weeks ago, but some poor form means that the Tykes must get a result here unless they want to be brought right back down into the fight. The carrot for Scunthorpe is not simply closing the gap with their opponents, but potentially exiting the relegation zone should results go their way.

Barnsley’s campaign has certainly been one of ups and downs but as we approach this fixture, it looks as though the Tykes are embarking on one of their more negative periods. Mark Robins’ men have now gone six games without victory and while three of those outings have resulted in draws, the form is still not acceptable. It’s meant that the club have gone from being in a comfortable mid-table position down to 16th. They are still nine points clear of the drop zone, and Scunthorpe for that matter, but their supporters must be slightly concerned considering the fact that they have been used to relegation battles throughout their time in the Championship. Of course, victory here really will settle the nerves, and the Tykes would put themselves within touching distance of safety with ten games remaining.

Scunthorpe on the other hand have seemingly recovered from an absolutely dreadful patch of form that saw them go on a losing run that lasted for months. The Iron have managed three wins from their last six, meaning that they are now just one point adrift of safety. What’s more, they also hold a game in hand over many sides around them and following 23rd place Sheffield United’s dismal form, they now find themselves five points in front of them. Of course, there is still a long way to go but with Ian Baraclough now having several players return from the sidelines, the Iron are now looking a much brighter prospect to stay in the division.

On the team news front Barnsley don’t look to have any fresh concerns as they approach this encounter. Several players passed late fitness tests against Derby in their last game, but all of those came through unscathed and Mark Robins could keep the same team. The visitors meanwhile are in the same boat although Ian Baraclough is still without several key players. Paul Reid, Chris Dagnall, Joe Murphy and Cliff Byrne are all still sat on the treatment table and won’t be available for a few weeks.

Barnsley have a fairly decent record at home but the Tykes have been poor recently and we think Scunthorpe could get something from this one. In a result that probably isn’t any good to anyone, we think this one could end goalless.

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Scunthorpe v Burnley Preview

Posted on January 22nd, 2011 in English Championship

This is a game featuring two clubs who really should be competing at opposite ends of the table, with Scunthorpe low on finances while Burnley are still reaping the rewards of a season in the top flight. However, while the Iron are battling right down at the bottom, Burnley have underachieved and their supporters will want a huge improvement on their position of 10th for the remainder of the season.

Scunthorpe’s campaign has been exactly as many bookmakers predicted

Millwall v Scunthorpe Preview

The Championship’s late kickoff sees two sides face each other who were both tipped for the drop at the start of the campaign. Both started the campaign well, but poor form over the past few weeks mean that both are now sliding down the table at an alarming rate. With Millwall in 16th while Scunthorpe are in 22nd, there’s no doubt that this will be a must-win encounter for both managers.

Millwall started the campaign in blitzing fashion and at one stage even found themselves top of the league. However, their form has tailed off significantly in recent weeks and with just one win from their last six, they now find themselves in 16th spot having collected twenty four points from their opening nineteen games. It still leaves them with a comfortable four point cushion from the bottom three, but there’s no doubt that their supporters will still be alarmed at the slide their side is on. However, having drawn their last game to Preston and winning against Middlesbrough the week before that, there is hope that the Lions might be slowly crawling out of this slump.

Scunthorpe meanwhile are in terrible form. Through the time they’ve been in the division, the Iron have never really gone on long losing streaks although it’s safe to say that they’re now experiencing one

Leicester v Scunthorpe Preview

The whole focus for this game has now been shifted after it was revealed that Leicester boss Paulo Sousa has now left the club by mutual consent. With the Foxes bottom of the table it comes as no surprise really and left in the hot seat temporarily is Chris Powell and Mike Stowell. With opponents Scunthorpe possessing such a tiny budget compared to the Foxes, defeat here is unthinkable and Leicester fans will be hoping that their season is finally ready to turnaround.

Some will say they overachieved last season, while others will hail the work of previous manager Nigel Pearson. Whatever the reason for last season’s playoff finish, there’s no getting away from the fact that this campaign has so far been an absolute disaster. The Foxes are bottom of the table with just five points to their name after eight games, with an astonishing goal difference of -12 to go along with that. There’s no doubting that their main problem is the defence which is leaking goals left, right and centre. Just days after a 6-1 hammering to Portsmouth, Leicester then conceded another four as they went on to lose 4-3 to high flying Norwich. That now means they’ve conceded a dreadful twenty two goals already this campaign and with only ten goals scored, it’s not come as much of a surprise that Sousa has had his tenure ended prematurely.

Scunthorpe on the other hand are progressing steadily. Many Iron fans are just happy to consolidate and establish themselves in this division and by the looks of things, that’s exactly what they’re doing. They may have had turbulence earlier on in the season having lost a manager, but having been promoted from within, new boss Ian Baraclough knows the club inside out and will know exactly what is required at Glanford Park. They currently sit in 16th position with eleven points although there could be a few disappointed faces after their last result, which saw the Iron spurn a host of missed chances as they drew 0-0 with Barnsley on Tuesday.

As for team news, Leicester have two pieces of information heading into this one. The caretaker team at the Walkers Stadium are preparing to be without Matt Fryatt who begins a three match suspension, while on the flip side Miguel Vitor returns from a ban and becomes available again. It’s a different story for Scunthorpe who have no fresh concerns. Garry Thompson and Jim McNulty will continue to sit out through long term injuries, but other than that Ian Baraclough has no new problems.  

Scunthorpe are having a decent season by their own standards and while Leicester have struggled immensely, we think they’re due a win here. With the Foxes having the home advantage and having just lost their manager, we think they’ll be inspired to a 2-1 victory.

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