Barnsley to reach 30 matches unbeaten at Oakwell
The Tykes welcome the Hatters to fortress Oakwell, hosting the second newly promoted team to the Championship on the bounce following their 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic last Saturday. Daniel Stendel’s men are unbeaten in their last 29 matches at home and with Luton yet to win this season they come into this encounter as slight favourites. New manager Graeme Jones has had a tough start to the season picking up just one point in a thrilling opening day 3-3 draw with Middlesborough at Kenilworth Road.
Recent form
Barnsley took four points from Luton Town last season in which the latter were crowned League One champions, so will be confident along with their brilliant home form. The Hatters have struggled late on in games having been drawing or winning at half time in all of their four matches thus far, there are reasons for optimism in this trip as just last season they managed to score over 3.5 goals in just under 40% of their matches. Jones will look to revitalise his squad and that spirit they demonstrated so well under Nathan Jones and Mick Harford in the 2018/19 season.
Key men
Former England youth international Cauley Woodrow has been in fine goalscoring form of late, producing a screamer of a volley to put side a goal to the good in his last outing at Oakwell. The Fulham academy graduate now 24 years old averages a goal every other game for Stendel’s side and if that continues, he is due a strike having gone down 2-0 away to Birmingham City in midweek. Mallik Wilks, a summer signing from Leeds United had an extremely impressive loan spell with playoff semi-finalists Doncaster Rovers in League One last term, his pace and power from wide areas could hurt the travelling Hatters. He amassed 16 goals from a bumper 55 match campaign and will be looking to make his mark on the Championship having not registered a goal or assist in his opening five games.
Luton will look to 2018/19 League One top scorer James Collins for some inspiration, and to pose a goal threat for the visitors as they look to brake Barnsley’s home run. The former Darlington and Aston Villa man fired his side up with 25 goals in 44 league appearances, and Jones will be hoping he can do enough to keep Luton up, having netted once so far, in that 3-3 opening day classic.
Barnsley will march on at home in a high-scoring encounter with Luton feeling their summer losses and remaining inside the relegation zone.
Barnsley – Luton Town Betting Tip
Barnsley to Win with BetVictor at odds of 7/5.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Luton ended Barnsley's incredible run at Oakwell by racing into a 3-0 lead at half time, Mallik Wilks grabbed a consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat for the Tykes.