Six pointer weekend is here! On a weekend that sees the top six in League Two all go head to head, the Cobblers are right in the mix of some unmissable drama as we play host to Stevenage at Sixfields.
Town come into the game in second place after a positive set of results last weekend with Steve Evans’ side two points behind us with a game in hand. It’s all set for an incredible afternoon…
The Opposition
You’d be hard pressed to find any fan, neutral or not, that would have had Stevenage at the top of their promotion contenders list in the pre-season predictions flying about last summer. But Steve Evans, having joined the club and saved them from relegation last season, has taken the Boro on a campaign that’s seen then bloody noses at the top end of the table and go on a memorable FA Cup run.
Having avoided that drop back in May, the fighting spirit shown rolled over through the summer and Stevenage attacked the season with gusto, surprising everyone along the way. After winning four of their first five games and losing just three times before February, they’ve hit a slight stumbling block over the last few weeks but are right in the mix for automatic promotion.
That’s a testament to the work of Evans and his backroom staff, who will undoubtedly be looking to come and put as many Cobblers noses out of joint on Saturday as they possibly can. Jon Brady’s men will need to stand up to it if they’re to lock in what would be a huge result should we come away with all three points.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers were victorious at Doncaster last weekend, thanks in part to former keeper Jonathan Mitchell! Stevenage were beaten 3-1 at home by fellow promotion hopefuls Salford.
One To Watch
Former Cobblers loanee Luke Norris has stepped up to the plate this season with fourteen goals to his name so far. The striker has consistently bothered defences in League Two and will be a big threat again at Sixfields on Saturday.
Team News
Akin Odimayo could return to the Cobblers squad but Tyler Magloire, Ali Koiki and Ben Fox are out for the season and Max Dyche is likely out until at least the summer too. Shaun McWilliams, Josh Harrop, Josh Eppiah and Danny Hylton are also still missing. Jon Brady is still waiting to hear back from a specialist about Sam Sherring’s injury that kept him out at Doncaster while Aaron McGowan and Harvey Linott could be doubtful.
Stevenage’s Elliot List has been out since the first game of the season and he may struggle to get back involved fully again before May. Terence Vancooten has been declared ready to face The Cobblers, though, after a few weeks out. Vancooten has been missing since picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat at Stoke City back in January.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Simon Mather takes charge at Sixfields on Saturday. Mather hasn’t officiated a Cobblers game since our 1-1 home draw with Exeter in April last year. George Byrne and Carl Fitch-Jackson are running the lines and Jacob Miles is fourth official.
Prediction
It’s so hard to predict games like this…it could be a cagey old affair and the longer it stays 0-0 the more you’d fancy Stevenage. But I think we can come out of the blocks and open it up so I’m going for a 2-2 draw that should suit both sides pretty well.
A Cobblers fan all his life, Danny is the most down to earth football supporter from Northampton.
While at university in Southampton, Danny kept up to date with all things NTFC from afar, sharing his thoughts on his ‘A Load Of Cobblers’ online blog.
