Our prediction for this Championship match:
Saturday’s football match at Oakwell pits together Barnsley and Blackburn, the two teams who sit in the opposite halves of the table. Barnsley occupy 17th place ahead of Matchday 8, with the team eyeing their only second win of the process. The Tykes defeated Coventry 1-0 at home in mid-August, but they face a difficult task against the Riversiders. Liam Kitching is banned for the match, while Ben Williams, Jordan Williams, Carlton Morris, and Mads Juel Andersen are all out of contention with injuries.
Blackburn, on the other hand, climbed to eighth position in the standings thanks to a 2-0 win over Hull City. The Riverseiders aim to regain their spot in top six, and given Barnsley’s anything but brilliant form, away win should be considered. Both Bradley Dack and Scott Wharton remain in the recovery room, while, Bradley Johnson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Tayo Edun, and Joe Rankin-Costello are all major doubts.
Highlighted Player (Patrick Schmidt):
Patrick Schmidt is an Austria international who plays for Championship club Barnsley as a forward. Born in Eisenstadt, Austria on July 22, 1998 Schmidt began his senior career at Admira Wacker. After making 46 appearances for Admira Wacker II, the 179-cm tall striker started playing for the first-team in the 2016/2017 Austrian Bundesliga season.
Three years later Patrick Schmidt decided to take a step forward in his football career as he signed a four-year deal with Barnsley. The full-of-pace forward scored eight goals in the 2018/2019 season for Admira and he is widely expected to shine with the Tykes in the 2019/2020 Championship campaign. It has to be noted that Schmidt played for Austria U16, U17, U18 and U19 teams.
The Barnsley attacker currently represents Austria U21 team in international matches. His main position is centre-forward, but he is used as both left and right winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Blackburn Rovers):
Blackburn Rovers have been trying to return to the Premier League ever since they dropped to the Championship in 2012. The Riversiders compete in the English second tier and they play their home games at Ewood Park. Blackburn were founded back in 1875 and they are one of the founding members of the Football League (1888).
Burnley are considered Blackburn’s main rivals and the two teams square off against each other in the East Lancashire derby. It has to be noted that Blackburn Burnley 7-1 in their first ever meeting in the East Lancashire Derby on 3 November, 1888. The Riversiders have won three First Division (Premier League) trophies (1911/1912, 1913/1914, 1994/1995).
Blackburn Rovers have clinched six FA Cup titles as well. Speaking of the club’s European success, the Riversiders won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2007. The colour of Blackburn’s home kit is blue and white.