Barnsley v Nottingham Forest

Barnsley manager Keith Hill will be without injured trio Bobby Hassell, Jim O`Brien and David Perkins for Saturday`s visit of Nottingham Forest. The reds boss is likely to name the same squad that played at Coventry last week but likely to be a more attacking line up than the one selected at Coventry.

Danny Higgingbottom is a doubt for Forest. Boss Steve Cotterill is hoping to name an unchanged side.

Head-to-head

This is the 70th league meeting between Barnsley and Nottingham Forest. Both have won 25 of the previous 69.

Barnsley are unbeaten in four league games against these opponents, and have taken 13 points out of 15 off them at the Oakwell, since Forest's 4-3 win in October 2000; their only triumph in 10 league trips to the ground since 1956.

The Midlands club have scored 100 league goals against Barnsley; the South Yorkshire side have netted 99 against Forest in competitive matches.

The mid-table Tykes are looking for a third win in seven league outings, but are also eager to avoid tumbling to three successive losses for the second time in 14.

Keith Hill began his managerial career at Barnsley with a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest at the start of the season, but his side have now completed 24 Championship matches without a draw, winning 11 and losing 13.

The current tally of 42 points after 33 games is identical to their return at the same stage last season.

Now two places and three points above the relegation zone having defeated Coventry and broken Birmingham's unbeaten home league record, Nottingham Forest are looking to achieve three successive league wins for the first time this season.

Forest have participated in the joint fewest draws in the Championship (four) and the equal most defeats (19).

The City Ground club have won five away league games and four at home, despite having played 17 home games, and 15 on their travels.



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