Walsall v Barnsley predictions and betting tips for tonight’s League One play-off second leg where Walsall will have to overturn a huge deficit.
We expected goals in the 1st leg, but somewhat surprisingly Barnsley scored them all! The Tykes take a 3-0 lead into the second leg and we’ve got the best football betting tips for the match tonight.
Walsall vs Barnsley Preview
Walsall
Walsall were rocked at Oakwell on Saturday night as they were hit for three. It made it two consecutive defeats to the Tykes and they’ve shipped three goals in both of those meetings. The Saddlers had entered the play-offs in decent form, having thumped Port Vale 5-0 and produced a strong home showing against Fleetwood. They have been effective at the Bescot recently, contrary to their early season form which saw them struggle in front of the home crowd.
They’ve won four of the last five home games, scoring nine goals in the process. This included a 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury. Netting nine fewer goals here than on their travels is a slight worry, but Jon Whitney will have his squad ready for this. ‘Give them hell’ he stated and we’re expecting an early onslaught from the hosts. No side has ever overturned a 3 goal deficit in the play-offs, Derby tried on Tuesday night but came up short. Walsall could make history if they are able to oblige.
According to their boss, they are looking forward to the clash and there is terrific anticipation around the camp. They can certainly find the back of the net and in Tom Bradshaw, they have a Championship quality striker. It’s a fine line that Walsall have to tread. They need to start quickly and go for the jugular, but the gung-ho approach might let Barnsley in at the other end and we’ve already seen how deadly Sam Winnall can be.
Changes could be afoot as Walsall look to elongate their season. Whitney declared that he will know who is ready to start following training on Wednesday. If the boss is able to mastermind a turnaround, he will surely be appointed permanent manager by the board.
It’s a one game season for Walsall now and they need to find a way to hit Barnsley. If the Tykes score, it’s surely game over. Paul Downing and Andy Butler need to be at their best to stop them.
Barnsley
It couldn’t have gone any more to plan for Paul Heckingbottom in South Yorkshire on Saturday evening. His side were dominant and took their chances, taking a three goal cushion into this second leg. They have been decent on the road, unbeaten in eight and sticking four past champions Wigan. The goals are flowing with seven in their last two games and they are full of confidence. If you’d have told Tykes fans back in December that they would be just 90 minutes away from their second trip to Wembley, they’d have had you sectioned. It’s been a wonderful turnaround and one of the stories of the season.
Like Whitney, Heckingbottom’s future is far from resolved, but he insists he isn’t focused on that until after the play-offs. He’s done a tremendous job since taking over from Lee Johnson but has been fortunate to take over the reins at the time of great momentum. Barnsley have lost just three times since the turn of the year and have looked very impressive, keeping 13 clean sheets in 2016. It’s difficult to see Barnsley losing all their composure, but these are the play-offs and anything could happen.
Centre half Marc Roberts, who signed from Halifax has issued a warning to his teammates not to get complacent and treat the second leg as a 0-0. The travelling fans will be dreaming of another trip to the national stadium though but the players will have to keep their cool. There are plenty of creative players in the Barnsley squad and Adam Hamill is having a fantastic season. The former Liverpool winger has had a nomadic career taking in many clubs in his short footballing life, but he may have found his home in South Yorkshire. Connor Hourihane and Lloyd Isgrove are also capable of carving out opportunities and it’s little wonder that Sam Winnall is netting regularly.
Walsall Team News
- Jon Whitney will look to make changes as he shakes things up ahead of this tie. Sam Mantom and Jordy Hiwula are pushing for a start after cameos in the first leg.
- Romaine Sawyers is rumoured to be leaving the club in the summer and this is likely to be his last game at the Bescot.
- Whitney is unlikely to meddle with the defence, despite shipping three goals in the first leg.
Barnsley Team News
- Barnsley have a clean bill of health ahead of the second leg. Heckingbottom is likely to keep the same 11 for the fifth game in a row
- Marley Watkins, James Bree and George Smith are all injured and will not feature here.
- Ivan Toney is pushing for a start.
Walsall vs Barnsley Predictions
Barnsley can relax in this second leg, but I don’t think they’ll take their foot off the pedal. This won’t be easy, but they’ve been in decent away form of late. They’ve shipped just three goals in their last eight matches on the road including a 3-1 victory over Walsall earlier this year. My first Walsall vs Barnsley betting tip is Barnsley win. They can be backed at 21/10 with Winner.
Walsall will be pushing for goals and I think they can find their way past Barnsley. But the Tykes are lethal in the final third and we’re bound to see a few goals again in tonight’s League One play-off. My second Walsall v Barnsley prediction is for Over 2.5 goals. It can be backed at 4/6 with Coral.
Sam Winnall is on a hot streak of form and knows his way around the Saddlers defence. He can cause more misery for the hosts here and land us an anytime goalscorer tip tonight. My third football prediction for Walsall vs Barnsley is for Sam Winnall to score anytime. He is 13/8 with Sky Bet.
Walsall v Barnsley Betting Tips
Barnsley win – 21/20 with Winner.
Over 2.5 goals – 4/6 Coral.
Sam Winnall anytime goalscorer – 13/8 Sky Bet.
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Jack Critchley
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