Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Barnsley and Mansfield Town square off against each other at Oakwell in an eagerly-awaited season opener. The Tykes were having their ups and downs in preseason, with the team beating the likes of Alfreton, Accrington, and Derby, while losing to Mallorca and Barnsley, but they are seen as favourites to beat the Yellows in front of home fans. Sam Cosgrove, who scored six goals in the League One last term, is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
Mansfield, on the other hand, defeated Matlock 3-0 in their last friendly game, but they will have a big fish to fry at Oakwell. In their last meeting in a competitive match, back in 2003, Barnsley defeated Mansfield 1-0 and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. Summer signing Lee Gregory is likely to make his Mansfield Town debut on Friday evening.
Highlighted Team (Barnsley):
Barnsley are an English club nicknamed the Tykes. The club was founded in 1887 and it has to be noted that they spend more seasons in the Championship than any other club in the history. The Tykes played in the Sheffield and District League from 1890, but in 1895 they were part of the Midland League. Barnsley play their home games at Oakwell, the stadium that was built in 1887.
The capacity of the stadium is 23,009 and it was opened back in 1888, just one year after the club’s foundation. The Tykes made it to the FA Cup final in 1910, but Newcastle United proved to be a big catch for the Oakwell outfit in the title game.
Nonetheless, Barnsley won the FA cup trophy in 1912 and that is considered the club’s biggest success. Barnsley defeated West Bromwich Albion in the two-legged tie (0-0, 1-0) to clinch the prestigious trophy for the first and only time in their history.