Spectators of both sides will be hoping their previous matches this season do not count for anything when Northampton Town host Scunthorpe United in League Two on Saturday.
Both of the teams have endured low-scoring games so far this campaign, so an entertaining spectacle will certainly not be expected at Sixfields this weekend.
Match preview
After winning their first three games of the season in all competitions, Northampton have since failed to win any of their last four.
Although, the 1-1 draw away to Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy in midweek did at least end with Town winning on penalties.
Across the entire seven matches at the start of the new season, Northampton have only managed to score six goals, and have scored more than once in a game on just one occasion.
However, this weekend's hosts have also conceded just six goals in these opening matches, with three of these arriving in a 3-1 defeat to Rochdale a couple of weeks ago.
Therefore, it is fair to say that Northampton have not been an entertaining side to watch so far in League Two, but fans will draw hope from the 13 goals witnessed across the last four meetings with this weekend's opponents Scunthorpe.
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Like their hosts, Scunthorpe have done little to entertain their faithful supporters so far in this new campaign.
Only four goals have been scored across the opening five matches in League Two, with the 1-0 win against Tranmere Rovers last time out being their first and only win in all competitions this season.
After finishing last season with just one win in their final 16 matches, manager Neil Cox has failed to shake off the doom and gloom of 2020-21 in the opening fixtures.
The victory over Tranmere last weekend was a welcome one, despite their opponents also struggling in the bottom half of the League Two table with very few goals scored as well.
Cox will not mind how those wins arrive though in their current situation. A penalty from Myles Hippolyte in just the fourth minute was enough to earn them that elusive first win, in a match where they saw very little of the ball and where it seemed one goal was always going to be enough to win the encounter.
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Team News
Scott Pollock continued his return from COVID-19 with a full 90 minutes and a goal in the midweek EFL Trophy tie at Forest Green, so he will be pushing manager Jon Brady for a start.
Michael Harriman and Jack Sowerby also made their first appearances of the season in the week but will likely take their places on the bench as they work their way back up to full fitness.
As for the visitors, Scunthorpe brought in Harry Wood and Hayden Hackney on loan from Hull City and Middlesbrough respectively on transfer deadline day, to add to a group of returning players.
Jake Scrimshaw and Alex Perry are returning after enforced absences due to COVID-19 protocols, whilst Harry Bunn is back in contention after a groin injury.
Ross Millen remains unavailable due to a lack of fitness after his hamstring injury, whilst Jordan Hallam and Alex Kenyon also remain out with injuries themselves.
Ryan Loft's availability remains in question due to a cheekbone injury that required specialist advice in the week.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Roberts; McGowan, Horsfall, Guthrie, Mills; Hoskins, Lewis, Flores, Pinnock; Ashley-Seal, Rose
Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Watson; Davis, Onariase, Taft; Rowe, Beestin, Pugh, Hippolyte, Thompson; Green, Jarvis
We say: Northampton Town 1-0 Scunthorpe United
It is fair to say that not many expect this match to be an open one with plenty of entertainment and goals. Both sides score very few but also concede little too, so Northampton to edge their visitors 1-0 is our prediction, as they remain the stronger side on paper and possess home advantage.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Northampton Town win with a probability of 43.57%. A draw had a probability of 29.2% and a win for Scunthorpe United had a probability of 27.21%.
The most likely scoreline for a Northampton Town win was 1-0 with a probability of 14.6%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (8.94%) and 2-1 (8.06%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (13.17%), while for a Scunthorpe United win it was 0-1 (10.76%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with an 8.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Northampton Town would win this match.
