Walsall vs Barnsley. Sky Bet League One.
Poundland Bescot StadiumAttendance8,022.
Thursday 19 May 2016 21:29, UK
Walsall caretaker boss Jon Whitney could make changes as they try to recover from a 3-0 defeat at Barnsley in Thursday night's Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final second leg, live on Sky Sports 1.
The Saddlers need to overcome the deficit after losing at Oakwell on Saturday and Jordy Hiwula and Sam Mantom could return after coming off the bench.
Isaiah Osbourne is fit after being out for the season with a serious knee injury he suffered last summer.
Romaine Sawyers could play his last game for the club with the forward out of contract at the end of the season along with several other players, including defender Andy Taylor.
Barnsley caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom declared a clean bill of health as his side bids for a swift return to Wembley after lifting the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in April.
Heckingbottom has no new injury or suspension problems and could name the same starting XI for the fifth straight game.
Defenders James Bree and George Smith (both hamstring) are hoping to return to full training this week but are not expected to feature.
Winger Ryan Williams (groin) and striker Marley Watkins (broken jaw) are long-term absentees, while Harry Chapman, Ivan Toney and Aidy White are among those pushing for recalls.
OPTA STATS
Walsall have won just two of their last 10 home league matches against Barnsley (D3 L5).
Both teams have scored in each of the last 11 clashes between Walsall and Barnsley at the Banks's Stadium.
Walsall have won four of their last five league games at home, drawing the other.
The Tykes have conceded just five goals in their last 12 away trips in League One, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
The Saddlers have won just one of their four second leg play-off ties (D1 L2), though that win did arrive in their most recent second leg fixture (4-2 v Stoke City in 2001).
Barnsley are unbeaten in their last eight away games in the league (W5 D3), and have lost just one of their last 13 trips dating back to December 2015.
Walsall - who need at least three goals to progress to the final - have scored more than twice on just two occasions at the Banks's Stadium this season.
Sam Winnall has registered braces in back-to-back games for Barnsley, including the last two goals of the tie.
OLLIE'S PREDICTION
I was blown away by Barnsley on Saturday - they were sensational and in Sam Winnall they could have the best player in League One. Not only is he a goal machine, he can also set up his team-mates too. The way he pulled the ball back for Adam Hammill to force the own-goal was equally as impressive as his two goals.
Walsall were tactically all over the place. They tried to overplay and didn't suss the impact of the home crowd and the situation - sometimes you have to be more cautious. They now have a mountain to climb against a Barnsley team who have shown automatic promotion form in the league since Christmas.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
