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Match Previews

Stevenage (H)

23 February 2018

Match Previews

Stevenage (H)

23 February 2018

Notts County host Stevenage looking to register a third straight league victory at Meadow Lane in Sky Bet League Two.

The Magpies have already picked up wins against Crewe Alexandra and Carlisle United at home this month and could make it a perfect February on home soil by beating the Hertfordshire outift.

After a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United in midweek, manager Kevin Nolan wants his side to get back to winning ways as soon as possible in order to keep pace with the teams challening for the automatic promotion places.

Stevenage, meanwhile, are firmly in mid-table, sitting 13 points adrift of the play-off places but 15 points clear of the relegation zone.

They ended a run of four games without a win last weekend with a 4-1 thrashing of Yeovil Town and will make the trip to Nottingham with confidence and a number of talented youngsters in fine form.

The likes of Ben Kennedy, Luke Amos, Mark McKee and Matt Godden all pose significant threats to the Notts defence and County will have to be at their best to keep the three points at Meadow Lane.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan says...

"They had a fantastic result last weekend so it will be a tough ask for us.

"Darren Sarll has done a great job since he has gone in there and they have some really good players who like to play.

"They will be a good test for us to see where we are but I'm looking forward to trying to get back to positive and winning ways."

Stevenage boss Darren Sarll says...

"We know that they are a completely different entity to us. Look at the make-up of the players - established, experienced.

"Kevin has them very well organised, they are very methodical and they commit. 

"If we allow Notts County to get a head of steam and build momentum, we know the crowd will get a head of steam and build momentum. There are certain clubs where the supporters can be an influence.

"I think every game we play now should have a cup tie feel to it and I have made no bones about it to the players, let's really go there and a have a good go at this."

Team news

Central defender Richard Duffy was expected to resume training on Friday after not participating since Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Cambridge.

Jonathan Forte is also set to be in contention despite suffering with a back spasm.

Stevenage are without striker Alex Revell, who is suspended, while Tom Conlon and Kevin Lokko both left the Boro on loan this week.

Dangerman

Striker Matt Godden made the move to the Lamex Stadium from Ebbsfleet in the summer of 2016 and made the transition from non-league hotshot to EFL hotshot with relative ease, scoring 21 goals in 43 appearances last season.

His fine form has continued into this campaign with 14 strikes to his name despite a slow start which saw him register two goals in his opening 15 games.

Such was the striker's form in his debut campaign in Hertfordshire, he was handed a new two-year contract just six months after signing for the club.

The 26-year-old began his career with Scunthorpe United but decided to leave the Iron in 2014 in search of regular first-team football after an injury-hit couple of years at Glanford Park.

He then joined Ebbsfleet, with whom he had enjoyed two previous loan spells and it proved to be a good match for both parties as Godden struck 30 goals in the 2015-16 season before being snapped up by Stevenage.

We've met before...

The head-to-head standings are level, with five wins apiece in 12 previous meetings and two draws between the sides.

Notts' last home win against the Boro came in April 2016 when Liam Noble scored the only goal of the game.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as odds-on favourites to take all three points at 17/20, while the Boro are 16/5 to come away from Meadow Lane with the win. The draw is 5/2.

A 2-0 win for the Magpies can be backed at 7/1, with a 4-1 scoreline available at 33/1.

Notts are 11/4 to win the game with both teams scoring or 21/10 to win the game to-nil.

Elliott Hewitt was on target when the sides met in November, securing a 1-1 draw at the Lamex Stadium, and the midfielder is 22/1 to be the first name on the scoresheet this time around.

Liam Noble was the matchwinner in Notts' last victory over Stevenage, scoring the only goal of the game, and a repeat result this weekend is 33/1.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.


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