Barnsley vs Brighton Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Brighton’s promotion push has shown some real cracks in recent weeks and there is potential for them to drop points here too with Barnsley enjoying a fine campaign.

The Tykes have coped admirably with the departures of several key players in January. Two of them left for Aston Villa so their 3-1 win at Villa Park in midweek would have tasted pretty sweet. The play-0ffs may still be just out of Barnsley’s reach but it’s worth remembering that this time last year they didn’t even look like they’d make the League One play-offs, so it has been a remarkable 12 months for the Yorkshire club.

They have the reputation as being an attacking team that is a bit fragile at the back but a 38% clean sheet ratio this season in the league shows they are a capable defensive outfit at times and they’ve only conceded 1 goal in their last 3 matches. At the other end Tom Bradshaw has really taken over the mantle from Sam Winnall, who joined Sheffield Wednesday last month, in terms of being their main goal threat. He bagged a brace in Birmingham on Tuesday to take his season tally to 7 and he appears now to be adapting to football at this level following a tough start. Backing Bradshaw to score anytime at 11/4 certainly looks to offer value here.

That’s especially true with Brighton having looked out of sorts at the back in recent weeks. They’ve gone 5 games without a clean sheet and haven’t shut the opposition out in any of their last 7 away games. Even more worryingly, they’ve conceded 3 times in each of their last 3 away games in all competitions and up against a Barnsley side that averages 1.69 goals per game at home, that could be a real issue.

By contrast Brighton have only netted 1.27 goals per game on their travels and they’ve not won any of their last 4 away games with slip-ups in the league coming at the likes of Brentford and Preston, two sides currently below Barnsley in the league.

Certainly Brighton look a little short at Evens given their recent troubles away from the Amex and given their opponents have only lost 4 of their last 21 games (inside 90 minutes). Therefore, backing Double Chance – Barnsley or Draw at 5/6 seems to offer value here.