The battle for Championship survival will take another twist this Saturday when Barnsley host Millwall at Oakwell.

Both sides are embroiled deep in the race to avoid the drop, with Barnsley looking to climb to within two points of safety with a victory.

Danny Wilson's side are currently just one point off the bottom having failed to win any of their last five matches, although three draws in that time have lifted them off the foot of the table.

They have conceded nine goals in those five matches but can take heart from the fact that they have won points and scored twice against playoff-chasing sides such as Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers.

However, any struggling manager will tell you that it is the matches against the teams around you that you must win, and Saturday will represent a huge chance for Barnsley to make a step towards survival.

Defeat would leave them at least seven points from safety, almost making the match a must-win, and certainly making it a must-not-lose game.

The Tykes have improved of late and are unbeaten in their last three home league matches having gone six games without a win in front of their own fans before that.

However, they have conceded more goals at home than any other team in the division this season, and only their opponents Millwall have conceded more overall.

The hosts will welcome Jacob Mellis back into the squad from suspension, while Jack Hunt could also make a return to the side at right-back.

Millwall will be just as desperate for three points to increase the gap between them and the bottom three with the threat of relegation looming.

They currently sit one place above the dotted line but will be fully aware that just four points separate them from Charlton, who have three games in hand.

Goal difference is not likely to do Ian Holloway's side any favours as they have the worst in the league, so it will all be about picking up points from now on.

They, like Barnsley, are without a win in five but have drawn three of those to at least lay claim to a fairly regular stream of points.

However, wins are invaluable to teams in their position, and three points on Saturday could well cut Barnsley and Yeovil adrift at the bottom in addition to lifting Millwall as high as 19th.

Incidentally, Barnsley are the only team with a worse away record than Millwall in the league this season, with the Lions having only picked up one win on their travels all season.

That victory came back in September, since when they have picked up just three points from a possible 33.

Holloway will have Shane Lowry back available after he served his suspension, and the Lions have no new injury concerns to worry about.

Recent form

Barnsley: WDLDDL

Millwall: WDLLDD

Possible starting lineups

Barnsley: Steele; Hunt, Cranie, Ramage, Kennedy; McCourt, Frimpong, O'Brien, Jennings; Proschwitz, O'Grady

Millwall: Forde; Fredericks, Lowry, Shittu, Malone; Woolford, Williams, Abdou, Campbell; McDonald, Morison

Sports Mole says: 1-1