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Harrogate Town
League Two | Gameweek 27
Jan 17, 2025 at 7.45pm UK
CNG Stadium
Cheltenham Town

Harrogate
vs.
Cheltenham

Preview: Harrogate Town vs. Cheltenham Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Cheltenham Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Separated by six points in the bottom half of the League Two table, Harrogate Town and Cheltenham Town will square off at the Exercise Stadium on Friday.

The hosts sit five points above the relegation zone thanks to a victory in their last league outing, while their visitors have their sights set on cracking the top half.


Match preview

Simon Weaver, manager of Harrogate Town, on 6 April 2024© Imago

Harrogate Town return to League Two action on Friday aiming to further widen their lead over the relegation zone, having most recently competed in the FA Cup third round last time out.

The Sulphurites endured a tough first half to their fifth consecutive fourth-tier campaign, and a New Year's Day defeat to Salford City left them on just 22 points from 24 outings.

A trip to Barrow then followed, and Simon Weaver's side were able to end a seven-match winless streak by prevailing in a 2-0 triumph, as Jack Muldoon and Josh March netted second-half goals.

They most recently made the short trip to second-tier Leeds United for an FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday, and after a valiant effort at Elland Road, they eventually bowed out owing to a 1-0 defeat as Largie Ramazani's goal on the hour mark made the only difference.

Now with their focus fully on their League Two survival bid, Harrogate Town find themselves 21st, five points above the bottom two, and will be keen to extend that lead with a second straight fourth-tier win on Friday.

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn during his side's match with Plymouth Argyle on 14 August, 2024© Imago

Their visitors, meanwhile, head to Yorkshire aiming to break into League Two's top half on Friday, having not been in fourth-tier action since New Year's Day.

That game saw the Robins visit Port Vale on the back of a six-match unbeaten streak and subsequent 5-3 defeat to Notts County, and they were able to leave with a share of the spoils as the game ended goalless at Vale Park.

After then seeing scheduled League One meetings with Walsall and AFC Wimbledon postponed earlier in January, Michael Flynn's side returned to action in an EFL Trophy tie at home to Colchester United on Tuesday and booked a quarter-final place with a 2-1 victory.

Tom Pett gave the Robins an early lead, and after Lyle Taylor levelled the game on the stroke of half time, George Miller netted the decisive goal in the 91st minute to seal the win in normal time.

Now sitting 13th on their return to fourth-tier action, with 10th-placed Chesterfield Town just three points better off, Cheltenham Town will bid to climb the table with a third away league win of the campaign.

Harrogate Town League Two form:


Harrogate Town form (all competitions):


Cheltenham Town League Two form:


Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):



Team News

 Liam Kinsella of Cheltenham Town celebrates a goal on November 16, 2024© Imago

After partnering up in attack at Elland Road last weekend, Jack Muldoon and Josh March should continue to lead the Harrogate Town line on Friday, having both netted in their 2-0 victory over Barrow last time out in League Two.

January arrival Bryn Morris will continue in the midfield, while fellow new signings Bryant Bilongo and Eko Solomon will both hope to earn debuts for the Sulphurites.

Following the clean sheet in the win over Barrow and a strong display against Leeds United, Jasper Moon and Anthony O'Connor will again partner up at the heart of a back four.

Michael Flynn could field an unchanged Cheltenham Town starting XI from Tuesday's EFL Trophy victory, although George Miller could come in from the outset after scoring off the bench to move onto seven goals for the season.

Following the departure of top scorer Joel Colwill, who returned to parent club Cardiff City earlier in January, Tom Pett will again line up behind a lone striker, while Jordan Thomas and Ethon Archer should continue on the wings.

Liam Kinsella and Luke Young form an established midfield pairing, while Scot Bennett and Sam Stubbs will again feature in the middle of the back four.


Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Sims, O'Connor, Moon, Burrell; Cornelius, Sutton, Morris, J Daly; Muldoon, March

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Day; Jude-Boyd, Bennett, Stubbs, Bradbury; Kinsella, Young; Thomas, Pett, Archer; Miller


SM words green background

We say: Harrogate Town 1-1 Cheltenham Town

With confidence from an impressive display at Elland Road and more rest than their visitors, we back Harrogate Town to at least take a share of the spoils with home advantage at the Exercise Stadium.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Sam Varley

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Who will win Friday's League Two clash between Harrogate and Cheltenham?

Harrogate Town
Draw
Cheltenham Town
Harrogate Town
100%
Draw
0.0%
Cheltenham Town
0.0%
1
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Crewe AlexandraCrewe251110433221143
3Salford City24126629191042
4Port Vale2511862925441
5AFC Wimbledon23124735191640
6Notts County24117638261240
7Doncaster RoversDoncaster2511773530540
8Bradford CityBradford2410863327638
9Grimsby Town25121123640-437
10Chesterfield249783829934
11MK Dons2310493631534
12Bromley2481063530534
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham248793436-231
14Gillingham2393112224-230
15BarrowBarrow2477102326-328
16Fleetwood TownFleetwood226972828027
17Colchester UnitedColchester2451272828027
18Newport CountyNewport2375113040-1026
19Accrington StanleyAccrington2367103240-825
20Swindon TownSwindon26510113141-1025
21Harrogate TownHarrogate2574142137-1625
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2467111837-1925
23Morecambe2455142239-1720
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2446141938-1918


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