Aiming to close the gap on the top three in the National League table, Gateshead will travel to The Borough Sports Ground to face Sutton United for matchday 15 of the season on Wednesday evening.
The hosts sit 13th in the standings with 19 points from 14 outings, while the visitors are currently in fourth with 27 points from their 14 fixtures.
Match preview
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Sutton United fantastically lifted the National League title in 2020-21, securing their promotion into the English Football League for the first time in their 123-year history.
They seemed destined for another fairy-tale season as they found themselves battling for a playoff spot in their debut League Two campaign in 2021-22, only to fall just one point short of Mansfield Town and Swindon Town, ultimately placing eighth.
That was as successful as it got for Sutton in the fourth tier, with them falling to 14th in 2022-23 and into 23rd in 2023-24, resulting in them dropping back down to the National League.
It looked as though Sutton would be in the fight for promotion straight back into League Two after the opening games, as they went unbeaten in their first five fixtures with two wins and three draws.
However, they subsequently lost three consecutive games to Forest Green Rovers, Boston United and Dagenham & Redbridge, seeing them fall down the table and into 17th by matchday eight.
That inconsistency has continued over the next six league games, winning three, drawing one and losing two, leaving them in 13th heading into this one, though they are just four points behind the playoff places.
Aiming to avoid a third consecutive National League defeat for the second time this campaign, Steve Morison's men will face the challenging task of taking at least a point against fourth-placed Gateshead.
Gateshead, who secured their promotion into the National League as National League North champions in 2021-22, were looking to make it two promotions in three seasons when they placed in the playoff places last term.
They comfortably finished in sixth place with 75 points from 46 fixtures, six points more than eighth-placed Aldershot Town, but were disappointingly barred from competing in the playoffs due to failing to meet the entry criteria for membership of the English Football League.
Gateshead Chairman Neil Pinkerton has stated that the club expect the situation regarding their ability to be promoted this year to be positive, and the club have certainly put themselves in a strong position to give them a chance at securing a place in the Football League for the first time in their history.
Gateshead, who recently appointed Carl Magnay after the departure of former boss Rob Elliott to Crawley Town, currently sit fourth in the table with 27 points from 14 games, just two points behind third-placed York City and three behind league-leading Barnet.
However, the Heed have faced challenges since Elliott's departure, losing two and drawing two of their last four matches in all competitions, including a surprising exit from FA Cup qualification at the hands of lower-league Hednesford Town.
Magnay guided the side to a positive 2-2 draw away to Altrincham in his first game in charge last time out, and the former Gateshead player will be hoping to secure his first win when they face Sutton on Wednesday evening.
That could be a tough ask for the Heed given their historical record in this fixture, failing to win any of their last five encounters with Sutton, enduring three losses and two draws.
Team News
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Hayden Muller is likely to remain out of the side due to a hamstring injury he picked up against Dagenham & Redbridge last month, but the defender should be on course to make his return in the coming weeks.
Ryan Jackson is ruled out as he recovers from having surgery on a bruised retina, while Edwin Agbaje is also out due to a hamstring injury.
Lewis Simper may also be unavailable for this game after the midfielder was forced off in the 28th minute of their defeat to Oldham Athletic last time out, with Siju Odelusi likely to replace him.
Gateshead captain Greg Olley has been ruled out for the season after a horror tackle in the game against Woking left the midfielder with a broken leg.
Elsewhere, Tiernan Brooks, Ben Radcliffe, Dan Jones, Charlie Colkett and Jacob Butterfield all returned to the starting 11 for Magnay's first game in charge, and they could all be in line to keep their place after a positive 2-2 draw with Altrincham.
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Kirk, Okoli, French, Waller; Barbrook, Odelusi; De Silva, Harris, Coley; Davies
Gateshead possible starting lineup:
Brooks; Radcliffe, Haunstrup, Jones; Hannant, Colkett, Butterfield, Booty, Whelan; Oseni, Newton
We say: Sutton United 1-2 Gateshead
Both teams are in difficult periods heading into this match, however, the visitors will be encouraged by the positive result in their first game under new manager Magnay, which we believe will help them secure a victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
