Preview: Barnet vs. Sutton United - prediction, team news, lineups

National League champions Sutton United will be looking to end their 2020-21 campaign with a victory when they make the trip to 22nd-placed Barnet on Saturday afternoon.

Sutton will be playing League Two football next term, having finished at the top of the National League standings, while Barnet will remain fifth tier in 2021-22 despite the fact that they are 22nd in the table.

Match preview

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough season for Barnet, who have won just seven of their 41 league matches to sit down in 22nd spot, with just 28 points to show for their troubles.

There is no relegation from the National League this term, though, due to the North and South divisions being declared null and void amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, Barnet will again play fifth-tier football next term, and the Bees will certainly be looking for an improvement considering their struggles during the 2020-21 campaign.

Simon Bassey's side should be in a confident mood ahead of their final match of the season, though, as they recorded a 2-0 victory over Maidenhead United on Tuesday courtesy of goals from Harry Taylor and Anthony Wordsworth.

The Bees could move above King's Lynn Town with a victory this weekend, but they will be taking on the best side that the National League have had to offer this term.

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Indeed, Sutton have finished at the top of the pile, winning 25, drawing nine and drawing seven of their 41 matches to collect 84 points, five points clear of second-placed Torquay United.

The Us recorded a 3-0 win over Hartlepool United last weekend to clinch the title and ensure that they would earn promotion to the English Football League for the first time in their 123-year history.

Rob Milsom, Louis John and Isaac Olaofe scored the goals in front of more than 1,000 supporters, and it was a special day for head coach Matt Gray, who has been promoted in his first managerial role.

Sutton, who finished 15th last season, are the leading scorers in the National League this season with 72, while they have the second-best defensive record behind Stockport County, conceding just 32 times.

The Us will be determined to finish their campaign with another victory on Saturday before turning their attention to 2021-22, which will be a famous season in the club's history.

Team News

Barnet have no fresh injury concerns from their two-goal success over Maidenhead, and it would not be a surprise to see head coach Bassey send the same XI onto the field.

Wordsworth and Adeloye should both retain their spots in forward positions, while Ephron Mason-Clark and Ben Richards-Everton are also likely to feature in the starting side.

Bassey will also be keen to utilise his squad this weekend, though, meaning that Josh Walker and Michael Petrasso will be in contention for potential starts against the champions.

Sutton, meanwhile, could also be unchanged from their 3-0 win over Hartlepool, as the players will have had almost a week to recover from the contest.

The champions had too much in the final third for Hartlepool, with Olaofe operating alongside Donovan Wilson and Omar Bugiel, and all three players should start once more here.

Former Arsenal youngster Craig Eastmond has again been a vital player for Sutton this term, and the 30-year-old is likely to make his 41st National League appearance of the season in the middle of the park.

Barnet possible starting lineup:
Parkes; Vaughan, Kefalas, Beard, Taylor; Nugent, Richards-Everton, Skeffington, Mason-Clark; Wordsworth, Adeloye

Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Barden, John, Davis, Milsom; Goodliffe, Eastmond, Ajiboye; Olaofe, Wilson, Bugiel

We say: Barnet 0-2 Sutton United

Barnet put in a strong performance against Maidenhead last time out, but we are finding it difficult to back the hosts here. Sutton have proved to be the best side in the National League this term, and we are fully expecting the champions to end their season with a routine win.