Eng. Championship
2011-10-01 - Barnsley vs Coventry
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 1 October 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Barnsley
Barnsley are suffering from an injury crisis as they get ready to host Coventry in a battle between two sides that were expected to be fighting against relegation this season.
The Tykes are down in 18th place in the Championship after picking up 9 points from their opening 9 games of the season. Barnsley are one of the lowest scoring teams in the League at this early stage, scoring just 7 goals and only Doncaster have found the net less times. They are 0-2-2 at Oakwell this season, scoring 3 goals and conceding 6, making them the joint lowest home scorers.
Barnsley are unbeaten in 6 games since losing 3 consecutive games, and they have drawn their last 5. To go a little deeper, Barnsley have actually drawn their last 4 games all 1-1. They are yet to win at home in any competition this season, and they have conceded at least 1 goal in all 5 home games they have played.
David Perkins is ruled out after being injured in the game with Derby County on Tuesday, while Jay McEveley is also a doubt following that game. They will join Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Goran Lovre, Rob Edwards, Luke Potter, Matt Done, Danny Haynes and Craig Davies on the sidelines.
Coventry
Coventry started their season very slowly, but Andy Thorn has begun to see things turning around for the Sky Blues. They have little expectation for the season other than making sure they are still a Championship team at the end of it.
The team moved up to 21st in the Championship after the midweek results and have gained 7 points this season from their opening 9 games. Coventry have struggled away from home so far, going 0-1-3 in their 4 games, scoring 2 goals and conceding 7. Goals have been a problem and only Doncaster have scored less goals on their travels.
After opening the season with 3 straight defeats, Coventry have lost just 1 of their last 6 games in the Championship and they come into this one having been unbeaten in 2 since losing to Ipswich. Coventry have not won any of their last 6 away games in the Championship since a 0-3 win at Portsmouth in April.
Carl Baker is definitely out for Coventry, but Gael Bigirimana is available for selection.
Head to Head
Barnsley beat Coventry 2-1 here at Oakwell in January, their first success in 13 League games against the Sky Blues.
Before that loss, Coventry had won 9 of 10 League meetings between the two.
Barnsley had lost 4 in a row at Oakwell against Coventry before the win last season.
Prediction
This looks like an interesting game for Coventry and a chance for them to take their first 3 points away from home this season.
Barnsley have got a lot of issues to deal with in terms of personnel being in the treatment room rather than on the pitch, and they have struggled for goals.
That's not to say that Coventry haven't been, but they have been playing well of late and I just have a sneak suspicion they could make hay at the 3.30 quotes being offered. It is a shame the 3.50 quotes have disappeared since the injury crisis at Barnsley was confirmed, but Coventry are still a big price.
The biggest danger is for another Barnsley game to end 1-1, but Coventry's record at Oakwell over the years could give them the confidence to go forward and claim the 3 points.
The Pick :
Barnsley 1-2 Coventry
