PREDICTED LINE-UPS:
Rotherham (4-2-3-1): Cann; James, Baptiste, Jules, Rafferty; Benson, Gore; Gray, Watmore, Martha; Nombe.
Barnsley (4-4-2): Goodman; O’Keeffe, de Gevigney, O’Connell, Earl; Phillips, Kelly, Connell, Cleary; McGoldrick, Bradshaw.
TEAM NEWS
Barnsley: Out injured: Corey O’Keeffe. Doubts: Tawanda Chirewa, Josh Earl. Rotherham: Doubts: Jordan Hugill, Kian Spence. Out injured: Emmanuel Adegboyega, Dru Yearwood, Shaun McWilliams, Joe Powell, Marvin Kaleta, Cameron Dawson, Josh Kayode, Ciaran McGuckin.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Paul Davis, Rotherham Advertiser
It would take a near-miracle for the Millers to stay up.
But if they’re going down, they want to go down fighting, and this is a derby.
They’d love to make it a double over the South Yorkshire rivals they beat at Oakwell in October.
Fans have had very little to cheer about this season and bragging rights would give them a little lift.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Millers 0, Reds 1 – February 22, 2025
Darrell Clarke’s Barnsley had taken one point from six games but secured a win via one of four penalties which could have been given. Adam Phillips netted from the spot after Davis Keillor-Dunn was fouled by the goalkeeper Cameron Dawson following an underhit short pass by Reece James. James had clearly hauled down Phillips in the opening minutes while the referee also missed a blatant handball in the home box by Zak Jules. Rotherham felt Sam Nombe had been fouled by Corey O’Keeffe in the box seconds after Jordan Hugill missed an almost open goal in the game’s main open play chance.
Millers 1, Reds 1 – April 7, 1980
Ronnie Glavin hit the post with a penalty, after a foul on Mike Lester, but rifled in a free-kick. Rotherham levelled in the 89th minute then Norman Hunter was sent off.
Millers 0, Reds 1 – September 12, 1938
Barnsley were on their way to promotion but had to battle through a very physical derby. With doubts about whether the game would have to be called off due to bad light, new signing and future manager Johnny Steele netted a late winner. Barnsley did not win at Rotherham again in 16 trips until 1980.
REFEREE
Lee Swabey
The Devon official angered the Reds in January when he did not give Cardiff’s Alex Robertson a second yellow card for a clear foul or award a penalty for a trip on Corey O’Keeffe. He did give them a penalty at Crawley last season, won and scored by Adam Phillips.
