Two teams who have made contrasting starts to the new League Two season square off on Saturday afternoon, as Notts County welcome Accrington Stanley to Meadow Lane.
The Magpies and the 'Owd Reds meet for the first time since March when they played out a 2-2 draw at the Wham Stadium.
Match preview
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Notts County made a slow start to the new campaign, drawing their first two league matches against Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town either side of a penalty-shootout defeat to Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup first round, following an eventful 3-3 draw in 90 minutes.
However, the Magpies have since celebrated back-to-back fourth-tier victories over Grimsby Town and Swindon Town, beating the former 4-1 on home soil before securing a 2-1 away success over the latter last weekend.
Gavin Kilkenny initially gave Swindon a 21st-minute lead, but veteran striker David McGoldrick restored parity for Notts County just nine minutes later before netting the match-winner 10 minutes from time.
Stuart Maynard described Notts County's most recent victory as a classic "smash and grab" and the 43-year-old hailed his side's "grit" and "determination" to come away with three "incredible" points on the road.
Sitting seventh after four matches and only two points behind early leaders Gillingham, Notts County head into Saturday's clash with Accrington having lost just one of their last six home league matches (W3 D2), with those games witnessing a total of 26 goals (15 scored, 11 conceded).
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After five years in League One, Accrington suffered relegation last season and have since picked up from where they left off at the end of 2023-24, as they have failed to win any of their opening six matches in all competitions.
The 'Owd Reds have followed a loss-draw-loss-draw pattern in League Two thus far, suffering 4-1 and 3-1 away defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Newport County respectively while playing out score draws with Harrogate Town and Colchester United on home soil, picking up a point against the latter last weekend.
Accrington, who currently sit 22nd in League Two, were also beaten 3-0 in the EFL Cup first round by Tranmere Rovers and most recently suffered a 4-1 home defeat to League One leaders Stockport County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, with a seventh-minute opener from summer signing Ashley Hunter ultimately counting for nothing.
John Doolan thought the scoreline was "harsh" but he was able to take several positives from the performance of his much-changed side against a strong Stockport lineup and was pleased that some of his players were able to get valuable minutes under their belts.
Accrington now head into Saturday's League Two fixture seeking to end a six-game losing streak on the road, and their recent record at Notts County bodes well in their quest to achieve that, as they have lost just one of their last six away league meetings with the Magpies, although that sole defeat did come last season via a 3-1 scoreline.
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Team News
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Notts County midfielder Scott Robertson missed the last match due to injury and is a doubt for Saturday, while striker Alassana Jatta could return to the matchday squad after concussion protocols prevented him from featuring last time out.
Maynard switched to a four-man defence for the win over Swindon and could stick with the same quartet of Lewis Macari, Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau and Nick Tsaroulla in his first XI, with Jack Hinchy operating just in front as a holding midfielder.
Star playmaker Dan Crowley is set to link up with Curtis Edwards in an advanced midfield role, while Jodi Jones and Conor Grant provide support from wide areas for central striker McGoldrick. Jevani Brown, meanwhile, should be available to make his debut after joining on loan from Bristol Rovers.
As for Accrington, Doolan made nine changes to his starting lineup for the midweek loss to Stockport and is expected to revert to a similar side that shared the spoils with Colchester last weekend.
Goalkeeper Michael Kelly as well as defensive trio Connor O'Brien, Farrend Rawson and Seb Quirk are all set to be recalled, while Donald Love could move up from defence in to his new midfield role to partner Seamus Conneely.
Experienced winger Shaun Whalley and new recruit Tyler Walton are both set to provide width on the flanks as Jimmy Knowles operates in a central role in behind striker Kelsey Mooney, who has scored two goals in his last three league appearances.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; Macari, Platt, Bedeau, Tsaroulla; Hinchy; Jones, Crowley, Edwards, Grant; McGoldrick
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Kelly; O'Brien, Rawson, Awe, Quirk; Love, Conneely; Whalley, Knowles, Walton; Mooney
We say: Notts County 3-1 Accrington Stanley
Notts County may have won just one of their last eight league meetings with Accrington, failing to keep a single clean sheet during this run, but they will be regarded as favourites to come out on top in Saturday's contest.
Accrington have shown signs of promise going forward in stages of games this term, but they have lost each of their last five away league games, conceding 17 goals in the process, and they may struggle to keep the hosts quiet at Meadow Lane.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
