Exeter City were promoted to Sky Bet League One following a second place finish in Sky Bet League Two last season. Meanwhile, Barnsley came into the league following relegation from the EFL Championship.
Nowadays both sides see themselves in the top half of the division, with Barnsley sitting in sixth place, and Exeter six 6 league places behind them in 12th place.
The last time these sides met was at Oakwell earlier this season, and it was Exeter who came triumphant by 2-0 back in October, with Jay Stansfield scoring both goals.
Exeter come into this game on the back of a mixed run of form. They have won, drawn and lost each of their last three league games. They lost their last game 2-0 away to Portsmouth who had recently appointed John Mousinho as manager.
Barnsley, meanwhile, come into this clash on the back of their first victory of 2023 in all competitions. They defeated Accrington Stanley by 3-1 on Saturday at Oakwell.
Team news
Exeter
Aaron Collins is poised to make a return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against Portsmouth at the weekend. Newcastle United loanee Joe White is likely to keep his place following his first start for the club at the weekend.
The game is expected to come too soon for Josh Coley and Kyle Taylor who both remain sidelined, so will be unavailable for Gary Caldwell's side.
Barnsley
Luke Thomas and Slobodan Tedic remain out, but there is hope both will return to training in the next couple of weeks.
Robbie Cundy and Josh Benson both remain out due to knee and hamstring issues respectively.
Bobby Thomas impressed on his debut versus Accrington at the weekend, so is likely to keep his place on the right of the three centre-halves.
Michael Duff could name the same side that beat Accrington at the weekend, with Devante Cole among the substitutes.
Likely lineups
Exeter
Blackman; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge, Caprice, Collins, Kite, Key,White, Brown, Nombe
Barnsley
Collins; Thomas, Andersen, Kitching, Williams, Connell, Kane, Phillips, Cadden, Norwood, Aitchison
Key players
Exeter - Pierce Sweeney
The Exeter City captain has just recently clocked up 300 games for the Devon side since joining in the summer of 2016. He has been a constant figure in Exeter's side and was a member of the team that won promotion to Sky Bet League One last season, having lost in the play-off finals in 2017 and 2020.
Sweeney is likely to play in the right centre-back role of the back three and will face a tough challenge against Barnsley's left-sided players such as Cadden, Kane and Kitching, who have all combined well down the left this season.
Barnsley - Mads Andersen
The Barnsley captain has this week extended his contract until 2024, something that will please Barnsley fans as his contract had previously been set to expire in the summer.
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Andersen has been strong defensively for Barnsley this season, making endless tackles, blocks and clearances in every game. It is not surprising that the only game Andersen has missed this season, in the FA Cup due to suspension, Barnsley lost the game 2-0 to Derby County.
Andersen will look to help claim his team's first clean sheet of 2023 versus a team they lost against earlier this season.
Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game is being played at St James' Park. It is a 260-mile roundtrip for any visiting Barnsley fans.
What time is the kick-off?
The game is scheduled to kick off at 19:45 GMT.
How can I watch it?
Those watching from the UK are able to purchase live audio from ‘iFollow ECFC’.
Those watching from abroad are able to purchase live video passes on the same website will commentary provided by BBC Radio Devon.
‘iFollow Barnsley’ will also have coverage of the match.