Bitesize Prediction: Barnsley vs Carlisle – 16/01/24

Competition: League One

Market: Barnsley win

Odds: 8/15 @ Pribet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the League One table, Barnsley will welcome Carlisle to Oakwell on Tuesday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Barnsley might have suffered play-off heartbreak last season, the Tykes have their sights firmly set on securing a Championship return in 2024. Last seen over the weekend putting in another eye-catching performance as they secured a 2-1 victory at home against Bristol Rovers, Neill Collins will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Opening the midweek fixtures battling it out in the top-six chase, the Yorkshire-based outfit are unbeaten in all of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. With their extended flurry underlined by a 2-1 win against Stevenage last month, Barnsley will be hugely excited by their continued success at Oakwell. In fact, Tuesday’s hosts have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since a 1-0 loss at the hands of Blackpool way back on September 30th. Hoping to move within touching distance of the automatic promotion spots in midweek, Collins’ side are rightfully tipped as a standout contender here.

As for the visitors, while Barnsley might be dreaming of the chance to book a Championship return this year, Carlisle are facing a major uphill battle in their bid to avoid the drop. Sat firmly in the relegation zone and already chasing a six-point deficit, Paul Simpson’s men have managed to muster just a single win from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. Likewise, last seen over the weekend getting hit with a routine 3-1 defeat at home against Oxford, the Cumbrians should be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge here. Gaining a reputation for their extended issues on the road, it should be highlighted that Carlisle have collected just a sole point from any of their last eight straight showdowns away from Brunton Park. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the League One table, we are backing a home victory for the promotion contenders in midweek.

Bet: Barnsley 8/15 to beat Carlisle in Tuesday’s League One battle @ Pribet