Brighton travel to Oakwell to take on Barnsley this evening in the Carabao Cup.
The Albion haven’t played the League One side from South Yorkshire since 2017, which makes the draw a nice change.
What can be expected of both sides in this cup encounter?
Another big cup win impending?
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Last time out in the Carabao Cup, Brighton stuck six past a lacklustre Oxford United, without particularly clicking through the gears.
With such a rotated side on the night, against lower league opposition once more, Brighton fans shouldn’t expect Fabian Hürzeler to field his A team.
He said:
“It’s a do or die game, it’s a 50/50 game, we have to really take it seriously because Barnsley have played a really good season so far.”
Jason Steele put in a man of the match performance despite the score being 6-0, pulling off double digits in saves and bailing the defenders out.
Diego Coppola and Olivier Boscagli are likely to renew their partnership, which proved sturdy against championship opposition last time.
Youngsters such as Harry Howell, Charlie Tasker and Tommy Watson may get the opportunity to start, with the Greek duo poised to be involved.
The TalkSeagulls Predicted Lineup:
GK: Steele
LB: Kadioğlu
CB: Boscagli
CB: Coppola
RB: Tasker
DM: Baleba
CM: Gomez
AM: Gruda
LW: Watson
RW: Howell
ST: Tzimas
As for the hosts…
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Conor Hourihane (yes, I hope you feel old) and his side have enjoyed a solid start to their league one campaign, winning five of their opening eight games.
Unbeaten at home so far, Barnsley sent Fleetwood and Rotherham out of the cup, and have recorded impressive wins over Plymouth and Huddersfield in the league.
Hürzeler said:
“They play good football, they have good players, so we have to be prepared and we want to go to the next round, therefore we need a performance on the highest level.”
The Tykes have played football ranging from expansive to hoofball, but will likely fall into the latter against Premier League opposition, so expect us to have more of the ball as per.
Barnsley will be compact but despite being unbeaten at home they’ve conceded nine in six games at Oakwell.
Prediction:
Brighton shouldn’t stumble at this hurdle, and I personally should record my first live win of the season.
Barnsley 0-3 Brighton, Tzimas, Tasker and Gruda.
