On Tuesday, relegation-threatened Barnsley take on lower mid-table Bristol City in the EFL Championship. In the reverse fixture back in October 2021, it was Bristol City who came out on top with a 2-1 home win. A brace from Andreas Weimann sealed the victory for Bristol City. Entering this fixture, Barnsley held league leaders, Fulham, to a shock 1-1 draw, and Bristol City won 1-0 away at Blackburn Rovers.
Coming into this game, Barnsley earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against table-toppers Fulham. A penalty from Carlton Morris gave Barnsley the lead before Fulham equalized in the 86th minute. This result leaves Barnsley in 22nd place with five wins, 10 draws, and 21 losses to their name. xG predicted Barnsley to score 32 goals so far this season, but they have managed to score only 26.
Seen above is the shot map of Barnsley from open play. Barnsley have missed more big chances inside the box than score, as seen by more orange and red circles than green circles. No Barnsley player has scored even half a dozen goals till now, with their top goalscorer, Carlton Morris, having just five goals to his name.
Defender Callum Brittain is the most successful threat creator for Barnsley, with a score of 10.194. The second best has a score of 7.349. Callum Brittain generates most of his xT from crosses, whereas Josh Benson and Cauley Woodrow create their xT from corner kicks.
Bristol City come into this game with a 1-0 away win at Blackburn. Andreas Weimann scored for Bristol in stoppage time to snatch three points from Blackburn. This win leaves them in 18th place with 12 wins, seven draws, and 18 losses to their name. Bristol have scored 47 goals so far this season, whereas xG predicted them to score 42, thus, outperforming their xG output by five goals this campaign so far.
Despite outperforming their xG, Bristol City are ranked in the 50th percentile for goals scored per 90 and 51st percentile for xG per 90. By far, their biggest weakness is their backline. Bristol City have conceded 65 goals so far this campaign, the third-most by any team only behind Peterborough United and Reading. Bristol City are 18 points away from relegation with nine games to go. They should be able to survive, but their defense needs big improvements.
For Barnsley, this is a must-win game to have any hope of surviving the drop. For Bristol City, a win will solidify their mid-table status this season.
