Barnsley's biggest match of the season!
Skipper Paul Reid is a slight doubt with an ankle problem but is likely to play through the pain barrier.
Daniel Nardiello returns from suspension and could come in for either of the out of form strikers, Paul Hayes and Marc Richards.
Long term injury victims Barry Conlon, Dale Tonge, Tony Vaughan and Nicky Wroe all featured for the reserves last week and could be back in contention.
Probable Line-Up:
Nick Colgan
Paul Heckingbottom
Paul Reid
Antony Kay
Neil Austin
Chris Shuker
Stephen McPhail
Brian Howard
Martin Devaney
Paul Hayes
Marc Richards
The last time Barnsley picked up 3 points at Boundary Park, the home of Oldham Athletic they secured promotion at the end of the season.
Back in September 1996 The Reds came away with a 1-0 success (something that would be much appreciated today) and of course ended the season 2nd and secured a place in the Premiership.
In fact Barnsley have only beaten Oldham away from home 5 times whilst the Latics have beaten The Reds 21 times at Boundary Park. Omens aren't too good.
The previous meeting this season however went very well for The Reds.
Back on October 1st Barnsley hammered Oldham 4-0 and were 3-0 up within the first 14 minutes after they blew Ronnie Moore's men out of the water. That was the first game of an unbeaten run that lasted until mid December. Daniel Nardiello, Martin Devaney and Chris Shuker (2) were the scorers on that occasion.
Barnsley were 8th after that game and Oldham 11th. Only goal difference separated the teams after that game. Sound familiar?
Last season's meeting at Boundary Park turned into a disaster for The Reds however.
Back on November 20th 2004 Barnsley were leading 2-1 going into the 90th minute before Oldham scored twice in stoppage time to claim a breath-taking 3-2 win. Michael Boulding and Michael Chopra were on target for The Reds that day. Oldham were 17th after that game, Barnsley 18th. So both teams never seem to be far away from each other when the two teams meet!
Just to take note as well. The two teams met on this weekend last season!! The game finished 2-2 at Oakwell. Simon Johnson scored both goals for The Reds, first to put the team 1-0 up and then to pull the scores back to 2-2.
Last 6 Oldham v Barnsley results:
1/10/05 Barnsley 4-0 Oldham (League One)
16/4/06 Barnsley 2-2 Oldham (League One)
20/11/04 Oldham 3-2 Barnsley (League One)
16/3/04 Oldham 1-1 Barnsley (Division Two)
16/9/03 Barnsley 1-1 Oldham (Division Two)
5/4/03 Oldham 2-1 Barnsley (Division Two)
Overall Record:
Oldham Wins: 30
Barnsley Wins: 24
Draws: 22
Oldham Goals: 99
Barnsley Goals: 97
Last 6 2005-2006 Results:
Oldham:
8/4/06 Oldham 1-2 Milton Keynes Dons (League One)
31/3/06 Hartlepool 1-1 Oldham (League One)
25/3/06 Oldham 3-1 Blackpool (League One)
18/3/06 Bradford 1-4 Oldham (League One)
14/3/06 Rotherham 2-0 Oldham (League One)
11/3/06 Oldham 1-0 Colchester (League One)
W: 3 D:1 L:2 F:10 A:5 GD:+5 Points:10
Barnsley:
8/4/06 Barnsley 1-1 Chesterfield (League One)
1/4/06 Huddersfield 1-0 Barnsley (League One)
25/3/06 Barnsley 0-0 AFC Bournemouth (League One)
8/3/06 Hartlepool 1-1 Barnsley (League One)
11/3/06 Brentford 3-1 Barnsley (League One)
4/3/06 Barnsley 2-2 Swansea City (League One)
W:0 D:4 L:2 F:5 A:8 GD-3 Points: 4
Barnsley currently lie 6th in League One with 63 points from 41 games, above Oldham only on goal difference who lie 7th with 63 points from 41 games.