Here we go then the first team news of the new Championship season, a season we know will be a struggle but we hope will end with Championship status preserved.
Reds boss Andy Ritchie should have nearly a fully fit squad to choose from after a good pre-season. Only striker Daniel Nardiello misses out with his broken collarbone.
New signings Michael McIndoe and Sam Togwell are set to make their debuts whilst Michael Coulson could make his from the bench. New goal-keeper Kyle Letheren is unlikely to feature.
Probable Line-Up:
Nick Colgan
Bobby Hassell
Antony Kay
Paul Reid
Martin Devaney
Brian Howard
Sam Togwell
Michael McIndoe
Paul Hayes
Marc Richards
Well Barnsley have a pretty good home record against their Welsh counterparts having won the last two Oakwell encounters in 1984 and 2002.
But with Cardiff promotion favourites and fielding ex Oakwell stars Stephen McPhail and Michael Chopra and with Barnsley as relegation candidates it could be a very different story.
In terms of form on the opening day Cardiff haven't won on the opening day since 2002-2003 whilst The Reds haven't lost on the opening day since 2001-2002, whilst Cardiff are on a 7 match winless run from the end of last season.
The last time Cardiff won on the opening day they ended up promoted whilst the last time Barnsley lost on the opening day they finished the season relegated (their last season in the Championship)
Last 6 Barnsley v Cardiff results:
8/2/03 Cardiff 1-1 Barnsley (Division Two)
9/11/02 Barnsley 3-2 Cardiff (Division Two)
23/4/85 Cardiff 3-0 Barnsley (Second Division)
15/9/84 Barnsley 2-0 Cardiff (Second Division)
4/2/84 Barnsley 2-3 Cardiff (Second Division)
1/10/83 Cardiff 0-3 Barnsley (Second Division)
Overall Record:
Barnsley Wins: 11
Cardiff Wins: 13
Draws: 8
Barnsley Goals: 39
Cardiff Goals: 46
Last 6 2005-2006 results:
Barnsley:
27/5/06 Barnsley 2-2 Swansea (aet) Barnsley win 4-3 on pens (Coca Cola League One Play-Off Final)
15/5/06 Huddersfield 1-3 Barnsley (Coca Cola League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg)
11/5/06 Barnsley 0-1 Huddersfield (Coca Cola League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg)
6/5/06 Walsall 1-2 Barnsley (League One)
29/4/06 Barnsley 0-0 Bradford (League One)
22/4/06 Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley (League One)
W:3* D:2 L:1 F:7 A:6 GD:+1 Points:5**
*= includes penalty win
**= Play-Off games don't include points
Cardiff:
30/4/06 Coventry 3-1 Cardiff (Championship)
22/4/06 Cardiff 0-1 Norwich (Championship)
17/4/06 Crewe 1-1 Cardiff (Championship)
14/4/06 Cardiff 0-1 Sheffield United (Championship)
8/4/06 Cardiff 2-5 Reading (Championship)
1 /4/06 Southampton 1-0 Cardiff (Championship)
W:0 D:1 L:5 F:4 A:12 GD:-8 Points:1
Barnsley finished 5th in Coca Cola League One in 2005-2006 with 72 points from 46 games.
Cardiff finished 11th in Coca Cola Championship in 2005-2006 with 60 points from 46 games.
46 games to go in the Championship, Let The Rollercoaster Begin!