Latics are back in Sky Bet League Two action tonight as they welcome Barrow to Boundary Park after three-and-a-half weeks away (7pm KO).
An incredible strike from Latics’ tricky winger Dylan Bahamboula won Harry Kewell’s men a point last time out against the in-form Tranmere Rovers.
Form Guide
Barrow are currently on a tricky run of form that has seen them lose their last four league games.
In addition, the Bluebirds have won just one of their last seven games; a run of form that has seen them drop into the relegation zone.
They are 23rd in the league table, two points behind Southend United with two games in hand on their relegation rivals.
The Bluebirds’ last six:
- Barrow 1-2 Morecambe
- Salford City 1-0 Barrow
- Barrow 0-2 Cambridge United
- Bradford City 2-1 Barrow
- Barrow 1-0 Scunthorpe United
- Southend United 1-0 Barrow
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 52
Latics wins: 22
Barrow wins: 24
Draws: 6
When the sides met earlier on in the season, Latics emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller.
Harry Kewell’s men had to come from behind in the first half with Scott Quigley giving the hosts the lead but two goals late on in the first half from Ben Garrity and Danny Rowe gave Latics the lead at the break.
Matthew Platt levelled the scoring in the 79th minute but Barrow weren’t level for long as Rowe converted from the penalty spot three minutes later to grab his second of the day and put Oldham back in front.
A goal in the fifth minute of time added on from Conor McAleny doubled the deficit and an own goal by Carl Piergianni in the 99th minute proved to just be a consolation goal for Barrow.
Team News
It looks like Zak Dearnley is still out for the time being with injury along with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Ben Garrity, whilst Sido Jombati serves his one game suspension after his two yellow cards at the weekend.
Brice Ntambwe is on compassionate leave with Bobby Grant, Carl Piergianni and Dylan Fage all looking to get back into Kewell's matchday squad.
Interesting Info
- We’ve conceded exactly the same number of goals at home (26) as away (26).
- That’s 1.86 goals per game conceded, our worst defensive record since 1960 on the road, and our second worst ever home defensive record (1.9 in 1934).
- Our league home goals per game is only 1.5 (21 in 14), though 5 in our last 2.
- P51 W22 D5 L24 Scored 82 Conceded 87 - lost more than we’ve won against Barrow.
- 48 of 51 between 1936 and 1971. No game between April 1971 and Nov 2001.
- At home: P24 W16 D3 L5 Scored 46 Conceded 25.
- Biggest win 6-1 in 1956.
- Highest scoring fixtures - 7 goals (4-3 wins in 1937 and 2020, 6-1 in 1956, 5-2 defeat in 1947).
- Last match at home - FA Cup, 1-1 in 2001.
- Before that, Boxing Day 1970, a 2-1 win.
- 4 of the 5 home defeats have been 0-1 (other was 1-3).
- Solid home record on Feb 23 - P7 W5 D1 L1 Scored 11 Conceded 6.
- Includes beating Man Utd 3-1 in 1935.
- More recently, 2-1 win at Peterborough in 2016, 1-0 over Portsmouth in 2013.
- We’re 17th, they’re 23rd.
- We have 35 points, they have 23.
- We have 10 wins, they have 5.
- We’ve scored 46, they’ve scored 32.
- We’ve conceded 52, they’ve conceded 39.
- Since we beat them 4-3, they’ve W3 D1 L9.
- They’re on 5 defeats in 6, one win in 7.
- Bookies only make Latics slight favourites.
Watch Out For
Scott Quigley is Barrow’s top scorer in League Two, with one of them coming against Latics in the reverse fixture.
He has been in impressive form of late and he boasts six goals in his last 10 outings for the Bluebirds.
The Shrewsbury born forward began his careers with The New Saints, where he showcased his goalscoring prowess with 32 goals in 102 outings for the Welsh side.
He made the move to English football in 2017, signing for League One side Blackpool.
The 28-year-old struggld for game time at Bloomfield Road and was sent out on loan to Wrexham, Port Vale and Halifax Town.
He signed for his current club in the summer of 2019 and he was an immediate success and was top scorer in the division at the time of the early curtailment of the season and was named in the National League team of the season as his side were promoted.
Familiar Face
Current Barrow player Chris Taylor began his footballing career at Boundary Park.
The Oldham born midfielder made 294 appearances during his time with the club and scored 35 times.
The 34-year-old left Latics in May 2012, signing a one-year contract with Millwall and went on to have spells with Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers before returning to his hometown club on loan in January 2016.
Before joining Barrow, Taylor had spells with Blackpool and Bradford City.
In his first season at Holker Street, Taylor has played 17 times for the club, scoring once.
Taylor is not the only ex-Oldham man in the Barrow squad with Connor Brown, Ollie Banks, Mike Jones and Neal Eardley also having turned out for Latics.
In The Dugout
Rob Kelly is the man in the dugout for the visitors.
Kelly is the caretaker boss following the recent dismissal of Michael Jolley.
He has been part of the coaching team at Barrow since September 2020 and he was also caretaker following David Dunn’s departure; a role that he enjoyed some success in leading Barrow to two wins.
His role is more permanent this time with the Bluebirds giving hm till the end of the season.
Match Officials
The man in charge for the game is Michael Salisbury.
He has officiated 15 games this season, handing out 37 bookings and one red card.
His last fixture officiating Oldham was back in January 2020 in a 3-1 win against Mansfield Town at Boundary Park.
He will be assisted by Wade Smith and Jonathan Hunt, with Steven Meredith as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Latics have been made favourites for this clash and are 11/8 to claim all three points.
Relegation strugglers Barrow are 7/4 to pick up a much needed win, whilst 12/5 is the price for the draw.
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How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Mike Leyland you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.
Oldham Athletic would like to make it clear that all fixtures are still strictly-behind-closed doors with spectators not being allowed entry.
Extensive guidelines are in place for the safety of officials and players whilst the events are taking place.
It is important you do not travel or attempt to visit Boundary Park on the day, especially with the lockdown restrictions in place.