Looming Leeds United experience talked up from within Barnsley camp

Leeds United host Barnsley in the EFL Cup tonight and Jack Walton is looking forward for the clash at Elland Road.

Barnsley, recently relegated to League One, will be looking to book a place in the third round.

They lost 3-0 at Oakwell to Wycombe in their previous league game, but it doesn’t get any easier for the South Yorkshire based side, as they face a Leeds team who are unbeaten so far in the Premier League this season.

Despite the expectation that there will be changes made from the starting XI which beat bitter rivals Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday, Leeds will still remain strong favourites to beat Barnsley.

Walton’s last experience of Leeds came during the pandemic in front of no crowd, and he is relishing the opportunity to now play in front of a packed out Elland Road.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, he said: “We experienced the thing in the pandemic when there was no crowd and that was strange. Playing in front of crowds is why you want to play football. We want to go out and do it [win] for the fans.

“The game is for the fans and when they are not there, it is a bit strange. Obviously [this time], it will be much better with loads of fans. When you have big crowds, it is really good to play in.”

Quiz: Can you name the last 15 teams that knocked Leeds United out of the EFL Cup?

Despite the rotation from Chelsea on Sunday, Leeds should be firm favourites against Barnsley, with a two tier gap existing between the clubs. 

Elland Road should be almost sold out for the game against their Yorkshire rivals, and the fans will be expecting to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Leeds may give a full debut to Luis Sinisterra, and other changes are expected with Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich among those back in contention.

The team should still be strong despite some changes. Let’s hope Walton and Barnsley boss Michael Duff go home empty handed.