Stoke City will be looking to build on a positive start to the campaign when they host a winless Barnsley side in Wednesday's Championship clash at the bet365 Stadium.
The Potters beat Luton 2-0 at the weekend to climb into eighth, 14 places better off than managerless Barnsley, who have taken only two points from the first 15 on offer.
Match preview
Barnsley's winless run may have stretched to a fifth league game last time out, but Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bristol City can be considered a positive result on the face of it.
Cauley Woodrow, who was close to leaving the Tykes on deadline day, scored a penalty in the 102nd minute to deny City a fifth successive victory to begin the campaign.
Caretaker boss Adam Murray oversaw that match as Barnsley continue their search for a new head coach, two weeks on from Gerhard Struber's departure.
Barnsley's only other point this term came in a goalless home draw against Coventry City, with their other three matches ending in defeat to Luton Town, Reading and Middlesbrough.
That includes successive away losses to begin the season, though not since 2013-14, when they were relegated from the Championship, have they lost three in a row to begin a season.
Stoke are winless in their two home league matches in 2020-21, meanwhile, losing 2-0 to Bristol City and drawing 1-1 with Birmingham City.
However, they have taken seven points from nine on their travels, most recently beating Luton Town 2-0 at the weekend to make it just one loss in 10 in all competitions this term.
The Luton victory, secured thanks to goals from Steven Fletcher and Nick Powell, was the eighth time in those 10 matches City have kept out the opposition.
A promotion push looks to be on the cards in Michael O'Neill's first season in charge, and Stoke will be desperate to keep their momentum going in this midweek clash.
The Potters won both league games against Barnsley last season, netting four goals in each victory, and have lost just one of their last seven home meetings with the Tykes.
Stoke City Championship form: DLWDW
Stoke City form (all competitions): LWWWDW
Barnsley Championship form: LLDLD
Barnsley form (all competitions): WLLDLD
Team News
Stoke remain without a number of key players through injury, with James McClean joining the likes of Joe Allen and James Chester on the sidelines.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn was signed before last week's deadline but is expected to remain back-up to Adam Davies for now, though Tom Ince is among those who could come in.
Tyrese Campbell has scored in both of his league games against Barnsley, netting three times in all, and will hope to get the nod over Jacob Brown in attack.
As for Barnsley, Ben Williams and Michael Sollbauer have been ruled out of this game, with the latter expected to spend a long period of time on the sidelines.
Murray used a back three against Bristol City but, in the absence of Sollbauer, the visitors may operate with a back four here.
Herbie Kane, brought in from Liverpool last week, is in line to make his full debut after being brought on as a substitute last time out.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Davies; Collins, Souttar, Batth; Smith, Powell, Mikel, Tymon; Campbell, Fletcher, Ince
Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Walton; Williams, Andersen, Helik, Odour; Palmer, Kane, Mowatt; Thomas; Chaplin, Woodrow
We say: Stoke City 2-0 Barnsley
Stoke are winless in two home league games but their overall record this season is impressive, seeing them move into eighth in the Championship and reach the last eight of the EFL Cup.
Keeping out the opposition has been key for O'Neill's men and, if they can achieve that here, they boast the firepower to see off Barnsley and keep their good form going.
Top betting tip
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