Accrington Stanley will want to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions when they play host to Barnsley on Boxing Day.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their winning streak after recording five consecutive victories in League One.

Match preview

Accrington may be unbeaten in five matches across all competitions, but one win from their last nine league games leaves them one point outside the relegation zone.

Due to a couple of postponements, John Coleman's side have not played a league game since drawing 1-1 with Oxford United on December 3.

Their most recent competitive outing took place two weeks ago when Accrington recorded a 4-2 victory over Burton Albion to advance to the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy.

With his squad well-rested, Coleman will hope that Monday's fixture can kick-start a positive run of home form after winning only two of their 10 home league games this season.

After failing to win any of their last four home matches in League One, Accrington may feel that a point would be a good result against an in-form Barnsley side.

The visitors currently sit in fourth spot after winning their last five league games, including a 2-0 victory over Burton Albion last weekend, which came courtesy of a Devante Cole brace.

While Barnsley are four points clear of seventh position, they are nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places with two games in hand.

Michael Duff's side will now look to consolidate their playoff place and reduce the gap to the top two, and their backline will play a key role in achieving those objectives.

No side has conceded fewer goals in League One than Barnsley, while they have kept clean sheets in half of their 10 away games this season.

The Tykes also have the third-best away record in the division, and after winning five of their last seven league matches on their travels, they will be confident of claiming all three points on Boxing Day.

Team News

Accrington are still without the services of Michael Nottingham and Sean McConville, although the pair could return to action within the next month.

Josh Woods is back in training after being sidelined since September, and he may be fit enough to take up a place on the bench.

Coleman could be tempted to select the same side that started the 4-2 win over Burton Albion in the EFL Trophy nearly two weeks ago.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Luke Thomas, Slobodan Tedic and Luke Thomas.

Tom Edwards is also expected to miss out through injury, while Adam Phillips has returned to training after missing the win over Burton last weekend, and he is in contention for a place in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Cole will look to add to the seven league goals that he has scored this season when he features in the forward line against Accrington.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Jensen; Astley, Tharme, Rodgers; Clark, Coyle, Conneely, Hamilton, Pritchard; Whalley, Leigh

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Collins; Cundy, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Kane, Connell, Cadden; Norwood, Cole

We say: Accrington Stanley 1-3 Barnsley

Although Accrington are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, we think that Barnsley will have enough quality to claim a sixth consecutive victory in League One.

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