ACCRINGTON STANLEY, A, DEC 26

This will be the first time Barnsley fans have watched a Boxing Day game live since 2019, when Aapo Halme netted a last-gasp leveller against West Brom.

The fixture last year was cancelled due to Covid-19 in the Stoke City camp while, the previous year, they beat Huddersfield Town behind-closed-doors.

There should be a large away crowd for one of the closest trips of the season before a series of long journeys early in 2023.

Accrington had been on a terrible run of just one point from six league games before a vital 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Cambridge left them two places and six points clear of the relegation zone.

They have currently won just two of nine at home in the league this season and host Oxford then Portsmouth before welcoming Barnsley.

Stanley have competed for the most headers this season in League One and have the second lowest pass completion percentage.

The Reds won both meetings 2-0 in the 2018/19 season while they have won four of their seven games at the Lancashire club.

Barnsley midfielder Adam Phillips had a loan spell with Accrington last year.