Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday: League One play-off final start time, how to watch, odds
Barnsley take on Sheffield Wednesday in the final League One play-off final of the season later today.
Michael Duff’s side enter the game after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
On Wednesday they had a dramatic victory against Peterborough United in the other semi-final.
After going 4-0 in the first leg, Darren Moore’s side won 5-1 against the Posh after extra time. On Wednesday, they won 5-3 in the shootout to book their place in today’s final.
Mail Sport summarizes everything you need to know ahead of the League One play-off final between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.
Barnsley secured a place in the final by beating Bolton Wanderers 2–1
Sheffield Wednesday booked a place in the final after beating Peterborough in the other semi-final
When is Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday?
Barnsley’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday takes place this afternoon, with kick-off at 3pm.
The game between the two sides will take place at Wembley Stadium.
Wednesday’s fans may not be sure about the game. The club have lost three of their last five matches against Barnsley.
The two teams last met in March, with Duff’s side winning 4-2 on Wednesday.
Devante Cole is Barnsley’s top goalscorer this season, with 16 goals in all competitions. The attacker has scored just four goals in his last 10 appearances for the side.
Michael Smith is Wednesday’s top scorer this season, with 20 goals in all competitions. The Englishman scored five goals in as many appearances for Moore’s side.
Devante Cole (left) and Michael Smith (right) take on each other later this afternoon
How to watch
Today’s game between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with broadcasts starting at 2pm.
The match between the two teams will also be streamed on the Sky Go app.
Highlights will be uploaded to the official Sky Go YouTube channel after the match.
Mail Sport will also be covering Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday live, so you can keep up with the latest developments here.
The clash between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon takes place at Wembley
Team news
Barnsley will have a fully fit squad to choose from before the match.
Top scorer Cole is expected to take the lead from the start along with Slobodan Tedic.
Adam Phillips will appear in midfield with Herbie Kane and Luca Connell.
As for Wednesday, Moore revealed he hopes to have Marvin Johnson and Dominic Iorfa available.
The pair watched somewhat uneasily towards the end of the semi-final second leg against Peterborough.
George Byers is about to return to the squad as he has not played a game since March. The midfielder is struggling with a hamstring injury. While Byers is in contention to make the journey to Wembley, it is unlikely he will start from scratch.
Predicted Barnsley XI (3-5-2): is set; Thomas, Kitching, Andersen; Williams, Kane, Phillips, Connell, Cadden; Cole, Tedic
Predicted Sheffield Wednesday XI (3-4-1-2): Dawson; James, Ihiekwe, Iorfa; Patterson, Banana, Palmer, Johnson; windlass; Gregory, Smith
Barnsley’s Slobodan Tedic is expected to lead from the start alongside Devante Cole
Dominic Iorfa (left) is expected to be fit for the game after a minor problem against Peterborough
What was said?
Heading into the game, Duff revealed that his side will likely be the underdogs.
“If you look at the bets, we are the underdogs. I’m not trying to create a story,” Duff said at his pre-game press conference.
‘It’s the facts. They finished on 96 points. God knows how many goals they’ve scored, lots of clean sheets, 23 games undefeated. Look what they did after the first leg. But they are now playing a one-time game with us.
“The good thing is that we know we can hurt them. I’ve said it before, going into the playoff games and people were talking about momentum – I wasn’t worried about that. I watched my team train and work every day. We think we know what we’re going to get, hopefully someone can come forward and be the hero.”
Michael Duff believes his side will be the underdog heading into this afternoon’s final
Darren Moore hopes the fans get behind the team in today’s final against Barnsley
On Wednesday, Moore gave his opinion on what promotion could mean for fans.
“That’s what we’re in football for. For me, the fans have always been the biggest part,” Moore said at his pre-game press conference.
“The key to this is our fans. The consistency, level and volume of support they have shown has always been there.
“They’ve driven us this far and I’m going to ask them again to keep doing that and let’s approach this game together.”
Chances
Barnsley wins – 10/21
Sheffield Wednesday win – 13/10
Sheffield Wednesday wins each half and Sheffield Wednesday gets the most corners in each half – 33/1
All odds through Paddy Power and correct at the time of publication.
Sheffield Wednesday hopes the victory against Peterborough can inspire them this afternoon
Prediction
Despite Barnsley getting the upper hand in Wednesday’s last meeting, Moore’s side will go into the game with confidence.
After their dramatic comeback win against Peterborough, Wednesday is likely to go guns blazing this afternoon. If they can get Smith into the game early, it could be a long day for Barnsley.
Although Barnsley finished 10 points behind today’s opponents in the final standings this season, their previous results by Wednesday will certainly give them hope.
With Cole and Tedic starting best for the side today, the two are more than capable of wreaking havoc on Wednesday’s defense.
Prediction: 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday