THE PREVIOUS two times Doncaster have visited Oakwell for league games, the Reds were on their way to promotion – with Ashley Fletcher netting the only goal in 2016 before a 1-1 draw under Daniel Stendel two years later.
This time, only one of the most unlikely late charges in Barnsley’s history would put them in contention for a top six place with mid-table, as it has been almost all season, by far the most probable final destination for this inconsistent side.
But they have nothing to lose by still targeting a play-off push and even winning the majority of the final ten games would provide a positive finish to an up-and-down campaign.
Victory against their neighbours Doncaster would give them a lift going into the two-week international break ahead of a hectic end to the season in which they play nine times in less than a month, six away. Rovers – managed by former Barnsley midfielder Grant McCann – are six points below their Saturday hosts and three clear of the relegation zone, having crawled out of it with a generally positive 2026.
BIGGEST CROWD FOR MONTHS EXPECTED
This game is likely to be watched by the biggest crowd at Oakwell in 2026 after the last eight were all under 10,000 including some of the lowest in a decade. Doncaster are expected to bring at least a couple of thousand fans while the home stands might be less empty than usual for an all-South Yorkshire clash.
Barnsley have only lost one of their last nine home games but no side have conceded more in League One on their own turf this season.
After the Doncaster match, the final three visitors to Oakwell this season are Plymouth, Bradford and Stockport who are all in the thick of the play-off hunt.
Barnsley have a mixed record in Yorkshire derbies so far this season.
They beat Huddersfield during their flying start, drew at high-flying Bradford in October, with Reyes Cleary’s 70-yard strike, then won at Doncaster in November. But they also lost to Rotherham for the first time in decades and were beaten at Huddersfield last month. Donny have done the double over Rotherham and won at home to both Bradford and Huddersfield, losing away.
STATISTICS SUGGEST A GOALFEST
Both sides have struggled defensively all season, both letting in 59 league goals with only Leyton Orient and Blackpool shipping more.
The difference is that only the division’s top two have scored more goals than Barnsley who have a goal difference of zero compared to Doncaster’s minus 19.
They are the two sides who have thrown away the most points in the division from winning positions – Doncaster with 28 and Barnsley with 20.
All that suggests there will be plenty of goals.
This is the final game of seven in 21 days for Barnsley. They have so far collected nine points from six. The Reds defended almost constantly in the second half against Cardiff on Tuesday of last week, then again at Mansfield on an energy-sapping pitch, before having to go deep to equalise against Wigan. What is left?
It has been the same schedule for Doncaster but Barnsley’s squad feels particularly stretched, even if they have been generally lucky with injuries.
But Hourihane indicated in midweek that he is now more willing to use players he has not called on much, and that may be vital to get through this final push before the international break.
