Aiming to keep their faint dreams of reaching the playoffs alive, Stevenage will welcome relegation-threatened Burton Albion to The Lamex Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a League One encounter.
The Boro secured a desperately-needed win against promotion-chasing Barnsley last time out, whereas the Brewers' woeful home form continued with a loss to Oxford United last weekend.
Match preview
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Following a highly-concerning eight-match winless run in League One - dating all the way back to the beginning of March - Stevenage finally secured maximum points on Tuesday night at The Lamex, beating playoff contenders Barnsley by showing considerable powers of recovery.
The Boro seemed to be hurtling towards another match without three points when Adam Phillips put the Tykes ahead in Hertfordshire, however the hosts produced a comeback to seal their 18th win of the league campaign, with Jamie Reid and Dan Butler netting either side of the half-time whistle.
Former Mansfield Town marksman Reid breached the goal of Barnsley's Liam Roberts, netting his first since returning from his maiden international call-up as part of the Northern Ireland squad, for whom the 29-year-old featured in friendly clashes against Romania and Scotland last month.
Despite only collecting a single win over the past nine matches, Boro boss Steve Evans is confident that his side are capable of putting together a last-gasp run into the playoffs, with Saturday's hosts currently three points behind sixth-placed Oxford, although the U's have played a game fewer.
Stevenage's form at The Lamex has remained solid in the midst of a downturn in results overall, with Boro losing just one of their last six League One matches in front of their home faithful, meaning that Evans's men will be targeting home contests with Burton and Cheltenham Town as must-win fixtures prior to the campaign's conclusion.
After six straight seasons at this level following their relegation from the Championship in 2018, Burton are at serious risk of dropping into League Two due to their wretched form of late, with the Brewers earning just two points in 10 contests since the middle of February.
In what is being described by some supporters as the most humiliating defeat of the campaign, Burton were hit for four at the Pirelli Stadium by top-six hopefuls Oxford last Saturday, when a brace from Mark Harris - alongside strikes from Josh Murphy and James Henry - sealed a comfortable success for Des Buckingham's side.
The defeat in Burton-upon-Trent made it seven successive losses at the Pirelli for the Brewers, who will be delighted to be on the road this weekend, with their two most recent victories coming away from home in February, when Albion bested both Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient.
Following mid-table finishes over the past two seasons, Burton are in a scrap for their third-tier status as the 2023-24 term reaches its dramatic end, with Saturday's visitors to The Lamex sitting 20th in the League One standings, ahead of 21st-placed Port Vale on goal difference.
Since joining the club at the beginning of the calendar year, ex-Northern Ireland international Martin Paterson has failed to turn the Brewers' fortunes around this season, with the 36-year-old winning just three of his 16 matches in charge of the Midlands club, losing 10.
Team News
Returning to the starting XI on Tuesday night, Kane Smith, Elliot List and Aaron Pressley were all vital in the beating of Barnsley, meaning that the trio should retain their spots in the side.
Scotsman Craig MacGillivray will continue in between the sticks due to the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, who is sidelined because of a groin injury.
Alex MacDonald and Jake Forster-Caskey remain in Boro's medical room, with the pair not expected to feature again this season owing to their respective injury issues.
Despite making some uncharacteristic mistakes during the Oxford loss, Burton keeper Max Crocombe should keep his place in goal on Saturday.
Tolaji Bola was partly at fault for one of the U's goals last time out, and the 25-year-old could be replaced by Jasper Moon in the Brewers' backline.
Manchester United loanee Joe Hugill is struggling for service at the Pirelli Stadium, with Burton finding the net just twice during the last five matches.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
MacGillivray; Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni; Smith, Burns, Thompson, Butler; List, Reid, Pressley
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Hamer, Hughes, Brayford, Sweeney, Bola; Harper, Powell, Helm; Hugill, Kamwa
We say: Stevenage 1-0 Burton Albion
Stevenage's need to earn three points on Saturday is extremely high, and the Boro should be confident of picking up a maximum versus an out-of-form Burton side.
The Brewers will be happy to play away from the Pirelli Stadium on the weekend, however we are not expecting a change in fortunes for the visitors in terms of the result.
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Carter White
