Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Oakwell Stadium
Competition: EFL League One
Referee: David Rock (Averages 3.40 cards per game)
Match Overview
Barnsley return to Oakwell looking to arrest their alarming dip in form and reignite their play-off push, having plummeted to 10th place after a five-game winless run. With six points separating them from the top six, Darrell Clarke has made it clear that this game is make or break: "The message is clear in the changing room: show me you’re top-six players or move on."
Huddersfield Town arrive in similarly poor form, having taken just one point from their last four matches following a 16-game unbeaten streak. Michael Duff, returning to Oakwell for the first time since his departure, knows his side must stop the rot if they are to cement their spot in the play-offs.
With both teams under pressure and both sets of supporters growing restless, this Yorkshire derby could be a pivotal moment in the season.
Current Form
Barnsley
- Last 5 Matches: 🔴 L 🔴 L 🔴 L 🟠D 🔴 L
- League Position: 10th (six points off the play-offs)
- Points Per Game: 1.43
- Goals Scored (Per Match): 1.40
- Goals Conceded (Per Match): 1.37
- Clean Sheets: 17%
- BTTS: 63%
🔑 Key Trend: No wins in five, just one point gained since mid-January.
Barnsley’s poor run has been defined by sloppy defensive errors and wastefulness in attack. The 2-1 loss at Stockport last weekend epitomised their struggles, conceding twice early on before Davis Keillor-Dunn’s late consolation. Clarke will be demanding a much faster start this time.
Huddersfield Town
- Last 5 Matches: 🟠D 🔴 L 🔴 L 🔴 L 🟠D
- League Position: 6th (two points clear in the play-offs)
- Points Per Game: 1.69
- Goals Scored (Per Match): 1.41
- Goals Conceded (Per Match): 0.90
- Clean Sheets: 45%
- BTTS: 41%
🔑 Key Trend: Winless in five, scoring just two goals in their last four.
Huddersfield’s confidence has plummeted since their 16-game unbeaten streak ended with a 1-0 defeat to Bolton. Since then, they’ve struggled for goals and were fortunate to salvage a 0-0 draw with Reading last time out.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Meetings: 81
- Barnsley Wins: 29
- Huddersfield Wins: 36
- Draws: 16
- Last Meeting: Huddersfield 2-0 Barnsley (October 2024)
- Last Oakwell Meeting: Barnsley 1-1 Huddersfield (2023-24 season)
🔑 Key Insight: Huddersfield have won the last two meetings, but they haven’t won at Oakwell since 2012.
Manager Insights
Darrell Clarke (Barnsley)
We have to get a re-start and kick-start and there is no better game than a derby to do that in.
The expectation is always high and rightly so.
The message is clear in the changing room: show me you’re top-six players or move on.
Michael Duff (Huddersfield Town)
The squad is big enough.
We have got a competitive squad. For the team to be in the position we are in with the amount of injuries we have had shows we have got a squad.
I had a great year there and brilliant rapport with the supporters there. It’s water under the bridge. If I get a bit of stick, I do, if I don’t, I don’t. I am more focused on what we do.
Predicted Lineups
Barnsley (3-5-2)
Gauci; De Gevigney, Pines, Earl; Lembikisa, Connell, Russell, Phillips, Gent; Rodrigues, Keillor-Dunn
Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1)
Nicholls; Sorensen, Balker, Lees, Spencer; Kasumu, Kane; Marshall, Wiles, Koroma; Charles
Score Prediction
Barnsley 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Barnsley’s recent form suggests they’ll struggle to break Huddersfield down, but Huddersfield’s own poor run means they’re unlikely to dominate proceedings. The Reds will be desperate to stop their slide, and a tense Yorkshire derby could end in a hard-fought draw.
Prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Key Trend: Barnsley have failed to win in five, while Huddersfield are winless in four. Expect a game where both sides cancel each other out.
Final Thoughts
With Barnsley desperate to stop the rot and Huddersfield clinging to the play-offs, the atmosphere at Oakwell could turn hostile if the Reds go behind early. Fan protests are rumoured, and another poor performance could see play-off hopes all but extinguished. Clarke needs a statement from his side. A strong performance could shift the mood, but another defeat could see the pressure reach boiling point.
Will Barnsley rise to the occasion, or will this be the match that signals the end of their play-off chase? Let us know your thoughts. 🔴⚪ #YouReds
I can see us falling to another defeat, not due to lack of effort, but due to a lack of quality in the squad. It has been a poor window, and our current board have deep pockets, but short arms. If they wish to have a successful team, on the pitch, then they must speculate to accumulate
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