Brighton vs Barnsley Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Barnsley couldn’t have dreamt they would come into this game in 4th place and 1 point above Brighton in the league but after an excellent start to the season that is the case. The Tykes responded to a 4-2 defeat at Ipswich on the opening day by winning 5 of their next 6 games to soar up the league.

Having come up via the League One play-offs thanks to some attacking football, Barnsley have continued to attack the Championship and for the most part it has worked. They boast the best goal-scoring record in the division with 19 scored in 8 games so far. However, a 2-1 defeat at home to Reading last weekend has just rocked them a little, particularly given their opponents played almost an hour with ten men and this trip to Brighton and a home game against Aston Villa on Tuesday should tell us a bit more about whether Barnsley boast serious top half credentials this term.

Brighton certainly do and ought to be competing for promotion again but haven’t made a totally convincing start to the new campaign. They’ve lost 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, which is a blow for a side that suffered just 5 league defeats last term. However, they are bidding for a third straight Championship win here following a late winner at Burton last weekend and they wouldn’t have been devastated by their 2-1 League Cup defeat to Reading in midweek with promotion the main objective this season.

Paul Heckingbottom has shown no fear so far and you can only assume he will continue with his positive approach here. However, Brighton are probably the best side Barnsley have faced this season and they could well make the Tykes pay if Barnsley make this an open game. Brighton have won 10 of their last 14 home games in the league so they are very strong at the AmEx and backing Brighton to Win & Over 2.5 Goals at 7/5 looks good, given the sort of goal-fests which Barnsley have been involved in so far this term.