The big picture

Barnsley come in 23rd on the ladder with 9 points; Reading are 6th on 22. Reading are the side higher up the table.

Form

Barnsley have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to West Bromwich Albion 0–4.

Reading have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Huddersfield Town 0–2.

Barnsley have lost their last five.

Head to head

These sides have met 10 times on our records since 2016: Barnsley 0, Reading 5, 5 drawn.

Last time out (2021-22), it was a draw 1–1 at Oakwell.

Biggest margin between these two: Reading by 3 goals in 2017-18 (3–0).

Players to watch

For Barnsley, watch Carlton Morris (0.3 goals a game, 3 assists in 2021-22) and Cauley Woodrow (0.1 goals a game, 1 assist in 2021-22).

For Reading, watch Tom Ince (0.3 goals a game, 5 assists in 2022-23) and Andy Carroll (0.3 goals a game, 1 assist in 2022-23).

At Oakwell

Barnsley have won 4 of their last 20 at Oakwell.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Reading have the edge.