Harrogate Town welcome Sutton United to the EnviroVent Stadium in the latest round of League Two fixtures on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts will be looking to steer to put some breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone, while the visitors are in 14th and could still make a late playoff push.
Match preview
© Reuters
Harrogate are 20th in the League Two standings, just four points clear of the bottom two, and they will be hoping for an improved second half of the campaign in order to avoid being embroiled in a relegation battle.
The Sulphurites' defence has been breached on far too many occasions, conceding 40 goals so far this term, the third-highest amount of any side in the division, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches.
One potential advantage for Simon Weaver's side heading into Saturday's game is that they have been largely solid at home for much of the season, even recording a 3-0 victory over playoff-chasing Mansfield Town back in November.
That victory against the Stags seemed to kickstart Harrogate's season, as they went on to win their next two games, looking particularly dominant in a 4-1 win away at Rochdale, although form has since dipped.
In their last four matches, the Sulphurites have picked up just two points, but there were some positive signs in their last match, holding second-placed Stevenage to a draw at the EnviroVent Stadium.
Sutton went on a terrible run earlier this season, at one stage winning just once in nine matches, yet they still remain just five points off the top seven, showing just how closely-contested the race for the League Two playoff places is this season.
The U's have the fourth-best home record in the entire division, but they have found it difficult to perform on the road, winning just twice on their travels all season, picking up 10 points in their 14 away outings.
Recent form has been promising, with Matt Gray's side winning five and drawing two of their last seven games, but four of these wins have been on home soil, as their issues away from Gander Green Lane continue to persist.
In their last two matches, the U's have picked up just one point, drawing 2-2 away at Tranmere Rovers and losing 2-0 at Salford City, failing to look particularly impressive in either match.
A much-improved performance will be needed on Saturday, and Sutton will be boosted by the fact that they have won their last five matches against Harrogate, defeating their opponents 2-1 courtesy of goals from Harry Beautyman and Kylian Kouassi earlier this season.
Team News
© Reuters
There are only a couple of notable absentees for Harrogate on Saturday, one of which is Kyle Ferguson, who is still suffering with a knee injury, so Anthony O'Connor, Rory McArdle and Joe Mattock are set to continue in defence.
Stephen Dooley is also unavailable for selection due to a groin issue, with Josh Falkingham set to play in midfield, alongside Warren Burrell and Alex Pattison.
Luke Armstrong is the Sulphurites' top scorer, netting on 10 occasions in League Two this season, including two in his last two outings, and so he will lead the line again, next to Samuel Folarin.
As for Sutton, Gray could look to reinvigorate his attack by bringing in Kouassi in place of Donovan Wilson, with the Englishman failing to find the back of the net in his last 10 matches.
Will Randall is the U's' top scorer this season with six league goals to his name, and he is poised to start on the left of midfield, with Enzio Boldewijn on the opposite flank.
Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Jameson; O'Connor, McArdle, Mattock; Thomson, Falkingham, Pattison, Burrell, Grant; Armstrong, Folarin
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Ward; Kizzi, Goodliffe, John, Milsom; Boldewijn, Eastmond, Smith, Randall; Bugiel, Kouassi
We say: Harrogate Town 1-0 Sutton United
Sutton have struggled on their travels so far this season, and recent form has taken a downward turn, so we expect Harrogate to emerge as winners in a closely-contested game.
The Sulphurites have shown some improving signs at home recently, holding second-placed Stevenage to a draw, so there is no reason why they cannot go one better and take all three points on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
