League One Antepost Update
Barnsley are simply ripping up League One on the early data, and fully deserve their 3rd spot on the division behind Peterborough and Portsmouth. 14pts is a handy return at this point for any side with their eye on the title, and the Tykes should certainly consider themselves in that company.
116 shots on target already this season for just 36 against gives them the hottest attack and tightest defence, and it’s the same story in the on-target data, so they haven’t been lucky at all. The shot quality has also been exceptional, and they should be favourites for the title by now. Their shot data has so far returned: 19-9 (v Oxford), 13-2 (@Bradford), 11-4 (v AFC Wimbledon), 23-6 (@Rochdale), 25-8 (@Scunthorpe) and 27-7 (v Gillingham). No-one has got close to them in terms of performance, and they are a solid pick for the title at 3/1
Shrewsbury have been well and truly written off this season – quote as long as 5/2 to finish in the top half after losing Paul Hurst to Ipswich over the summer. That looks too much of an overreaction in a tight division – especially about a club who managed to win 87 points last season en-route to 3rd place in the table.
The early shot data is decent enough for the Shrews, even if the results haven’t been so far – they have struggled to score goals with just four on the board so far, but things could soon improve. It’s true they haven’t been prolific, but they have been creating enough chances to suggest things should improve soon, and are doing a much better job at the other end so certainly have something to build upon. I’d be surprised if fortunes don’t turn around soon, and they look worth backing to finish in the top half this season.
2pts Barnsley to win the title at 3/1
1pt Shrewsbury to finish in the top half at 5/2