Bitesize Prediction: Barnsley vs Mansfield – 09/08/24

Competition: League One

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 3/4 @ 1xBet

With the 2024/25 League One campaign getting underway on Friday night, Barnsley will welcome Mansfield to Oakwell.

Starting with the hosts, suffering play-off semi-final heartbreak last season as they eventually fell to a thrilling 5-4 aggregate defeats against Bolton, Barnsley are desperate to book a Championship return this time around. Already pencilled in as a standout promotion contender, the Tykes will know the importance of finding some crucial defensive resolve. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a thumping 4-0 romp at the hands of Italian icons Roma, Darrell Clarke’s side also failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their final 10 consecutive League One appearances last year. Really limping over the finishing line last season, the former Port Vale boss also saw his squad gain a reputation for their lively outcomes. In fact, signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Northampton, Barnsley saw all of their final nine showdowns against League One opposition finish with both teams finding the net.

As for the visitors, securing a League One return this season, Mansfield will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off back in May. Mustering 13 points from their final five fourth-tier appearances last year, Nigel Clough’s men have also enjoyed an impressive summer run. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a routine 3-0 romp away at non-league outfit Matlock, the Stags were unbeaten in all of their seven friendly matchups and the mood in their camp should be at a real high. Despite facing what should be a tough opening weekend task when they travel to Oakwell on Friday night, the former Burton boss will be confident of testing a leaky Barnsley defence. However, it should be highlighted, with Mansfield seeing all of their final four League Two appearances last season finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Bet: Both teams to score at Barnsley vs Mansfield 3/4 for Friday’s League One battle @ 1xBet