Barnsley v Walsall betting tips

Barnsley vs Walsall Betting Tips and Predictions – League One Play-offs

Barnsley vs Walsall betting tips and football predictions for the League One play-off first leg on Saturday 14th May.

 

The first of the League One play-offs comes from Oakwell today as sixth place Barnsley host 3rd place Walsall. We’ve got the best bets for the 17:30 kick off and the best odds for each bet.

 

Barnsley vs Walsall Preview

 

Barnsley

Barnsley went into the final day of the season knowing what they had to do and they completed it emphatically. A 4-1 win over Wigan cemented their play-off place and gave them great confidence ahead of this tie. Tykes fans who travelled to the DW were rewarded with a fantastic display despite going behind to a Will Grigg goal in the first half.

 

Going back some months, it’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Oakwell side, who sat bottom of League One at one stage (12th December). Nine defeats in ten saw them slump to the base of the division but the hierarchy stuck with Lee Johnson and it paid dividends. This was followed by eight wins from nine with only a defeat to Wigan marring the fine run of form.

 

Johnson failed to show the same loyalty as he headed west to take over at Bristol City, but Paul Heckingbottom has done a superb job of continuing the upward curve and they have deservedly booked themselves a place in the top six. They’ve also collected some silverware this season with the JPT victory over Oxford at Wembley earlier this year. It’s been a decent season to be a Barnsley fan and it might not end there.

 

The whole team will carry confidence into this one and there’s plenty of goals in the team. Sam Winnall has contributed to the 70 goals the team has netted this campaign and they’ve been defeated just three times in 2016. Although Oakwell will be bouncing on Saturday, they’ll be looking forward to the second leg as they are unbeaten in eight games on the road. Midfielder Connor Hourihane believes that their ‘big game mentality’ will stand them in good stead ahead of this tie and the Tykes know how to rise to the big occasion.

 

Finally, there’s a boost for on-loan Josh Brownhill, who this week has been offered a new deal at his parent club Preston North End. He will stay with Barnsley until the end of their play-off campaign. The 20 year old got on the scoresheet at the weekend and is hoping to do the same against Walsall.

 

Walsall

What a tremendous season for Walsall! They can consider themselves unlucky not to have already secured their place in the Championship next season after narrowly missing out to Burton Albion. The Brewers settled for a point in Doncaster and it meant the Saddlers would have to do things the hard way.

 

A mesmerising final day performance saw them out five past local rivals Port Vale as they look unstoppable with sumptuous strikes to boot. Sam Mantom’s goal put the cherry on a fine performance for Jon Whitney’s side, who have plenty of confidence coming into this game. They hit eight goals in their final two matches and probably should have scored more against Fleetwood.

 

Many predicted that Walsall’s promotion ambitions would come off the rails once Dean Smith left for Brentford, but that simply wasn’t the case. The board would admit that appointing Sean O’Driscoll was a mistake, but they acted swiftly and decisively to re-appoint Jon Whitney.

 

Whitney knows the club and has the players performing for him. They appear to be performing with a smile of their faces and they’ve been enjoyable to watch over the last couple of months. Worryingly for Saddlers fans, their away form has taken a turn for the worse since the start of the season. They were effective on the road earlier in the campaign, but they’ve won just twice in the last five away games, failing to score against Bradford, Oldham and Sheffield United.

 

Whitney has said that he won’t deviate from the attacking tactics which have helped them reach 3rd place. He’s pledged to use the same approach during the final stages of the season and that should make for an entertaining game. They’ll be hoping for a repeat of the 2-0 win at Oakwell earlier in the season.

 

Barnsley vs Walsall Team News

  • Both managers are unlikely to make many changes to their teams after thumping victories on the final day of the season. Sam Winnall will once again lead the line for the Tykes with the dangerous Ashley Fletcher accompanying him.
  • Josh Brownhill and Connor Hourihane are the first choice centre midfielders and are likely to be given the nod again.

 

  • Same again for Walsall, a fully fit squad is unlikely to be altered. Sam Mantom came on against Port Vale and netted a screamer and he will be vying for a start.
  • Jordy Hiwula is also a handy option from the bench and whilst he is unlikely to displace Tom Bradshaw, he could add firepower in the second half if required.

 

Barnsley vs Walsall Predictions

Both of these sides are playing tremendously well at the moment. They are full of confidence and although there are doubts about Walsall’s away form, Barnsley couldn’t see off relegated Colchester here recently. I think it will end honours even going into the second leg. My first Barnsley vs Walsall betting tip is for the match to end a Draw. It can be backed at 12/5 with Betfred.

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Goals should flow here with Jon Whitney suggesting his side won’t sit back and play for the 0-0. There are goals flowing through both of these sides and I think they’ll both go for it. The second Barnsley vs Walsall prediction for the League One play-off is for Over 2.5 goals. It can be backed at Evens with Betfair.

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It’s very difficult to separate the two men at the top of the goalscorer market. So why not back both? If we’re expecting goals these two strikers should get their names on the scoresheet. The third football prediction for Barnsley v Walsall is for Sam Winnall to score anytime at 6/4 and Tom Bradshaw to score anytime at 15/8 – both with Ladbrokes.

 

Barnsley v Walsall Betting Tips

Draw – 12/5 with Betfred.

Over 2.5 goals – Evens with Betfair.

Sam Winnall Anytime Goalscorer – 6/4 Ladbrokes.

Tom Bradshaw Anytime Goalscorer – 15/8 Ladbrokes.

 

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Jack Critchley

Jack Critchley

Jack is the resident Football League predictions writer here at thatsagoal.com, his expertise of the lower leagues brings regular winning football tips.
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