Barnet travel up to Accrington tonight for a League Two match. With the cup matches and the postponements, the two sides seem to have been playing each other all season. Barnet’s poor performance in the 1-1 draw at home to Burton continued their disappointing home form of late, but did at least give the Bees another point as they struggle to keep out of the relegation fight. With Grimsby losing at Rochdale, the Bees are now 11 points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on the Mariners.
Barnet’s away form has improved of late with the Bees having taken 7 points from their last four away matches, including wins at Port Vale and Darlington. Earlier this season, the two clubs met at the Crown Ground in the FA Cup and a late John O’Flynn penalty gave the Bees a 2-2 draw.
Barnet are likely to be without top scorer, John O’Flynn who has a twisted knee and missed the Burton match, while international clearance for New Zealand international midfielder, Chris James is likely to take another week. On loan midfield player, Ed Upson could start after a promising debut performance as a substitute on Saturday.
Earlier this year, Accrington’s form had propelled them towards the edge of the play-offs, but a run which has seen them lose 7 of their last 12 league matches has seen their chances of a play-off place recede somewhat. However, they are still only 7 points from the play-offs and a win over Barnet could kick start their promotion bid. One of their few wins recently came , of course, at Underhill in a match that Barnet should have won comfortably having been 1-0 up with Accrington down to 10 men.
Barnet have yet to win against Accrington this season, but with the club’s improved away form and Accrington’s dip in form, tonight will probably be their best opportunity. However, with O’Flynn likely to be missing, I think that a win might be beyond the Bees at present. That being the case, Barnet Mad is going to predict another draw for the Bees, perhaps 1-1.
