Notts County and Salford City, two teams that are battling for a chance at promotion from League Two, are set to clash on Friday night at Meadow Lane Stadium.
The hosts are sixth in the table with 68 points from 41 league matches, while the visitors are 11th in the standings with 58 points from 40 fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
Notts County suffered relegation from the English Football League for the first time in their history in 2018-19, and after three years of failing to return to League Two, they finally won the 2022-23 playoffs to secure promotion back to the fourth division.
The Magpies appeared well-positioned for a second consecutive promotion after a strong start to their League Two campaign last season, leading the table after 12 matchdays, but a disappointing collapse was to follow.
Notts County had dropped into seventh by matchday 28, by which time Luke Williams had also departed the club and Stuart Maynard had arrived, and they fell even further as they recorded an eventual 14th-placed finish.
Maynard would have been looking for a significantly improved second season in League Two, and the Magpies are currently in good standing to earn promotion into League One for the first time since 2014-15.
The Magpies are sixth in the table with 68 points from 41 fixtures - after 19 wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats - leaving them just four points outside the automatic promotion spots and only five behind the league leaders, while they are six above eighth-placed Colchester United.
However, Maynard's side have experienced another worrying dip in form over the past outings, managing just four wins and three draws in their last 12 matches, which has seen them slip from second in the table.
With five games of the League Two season remaining, Maynard will be eager for his side to return to form, with sights set on returning to the top three, and a victory on Friday could be crucial for that objective.
Notts County will face a potentially challenging matchup, though, with Salford City also in desperate need of points as they aim to break into the top seven before the season's end.
The Ammies, who had flirted with promotion in each of their first four League Two seasons before enduring a dismal 20th-placed finish last term, have experienced a rather inconsistent 2024-25 campaign.
Karl Robinson's side began the season with just six wins from their first 18 league matches, but then went on a remarkable run of six consecutive victories without conceding a single goal, lifting them to third in the standings.
However, an 8-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup triggered another poor run of form, with the Ammies managing just three wins in their next 16 league matches, though they are unbeaten in their past four games.
Those results leave Salford City sitting 11th in the league with 58 points from 40 matches, meaning they trail seventh-placed Grimsby Town by seven points.
The Ammies do have the benefit of a game in hand on those around them, meaning that gap could be closed to four points, but Robinson's men will need to embark on a seriously improved run in the final six fixtures if they are to secure a playoff place.
Salford will look to draw confidence from their strong record against Notts County, as the Ammies have won three and lost only one of their last four meetings across all competitions - including a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture this term.
Team News
© Imago
Notts County may have suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Colchester United last time out, but a dominant performance - holding 71% possession and taking 14 shots to their opponents' three - Maynard may opt to name a similar side on Friday.
Injury issues have meant key player Jodi Jones has missed a large amount of football this term, but after returning to the bench last time out, the creative powerhouse - who assisted a massive 24 league goals last season - could be in line for a start here.
Elsewhere, Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick - who have scored 32 goals between them this term - should start in attack, while Charlie Whitaker could continue as a more attacking presence from midfield.
Liam Shephard may be a doubt for Salford after being forced off in the 84th-minute of their clash with Gillingham due to injury, meaning Tom Edwards could start alongside Curtis Tilt and Luke Garbutt in a back three.
Twenty-year-old Kelly N'Mai has scored four goals in his last seven games, and he could continue his partnership in attack with Cole Stockton, who has three goals in his last three outings.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Slocombe; Macari, Platt, Bedeau; Jones, Hinchy, Palmer, Whitaker, Jarvis; McGoldrick, Jatta
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Young; Edwards, Tilt, Garbutt; Mnoga, Ashley, Fornah, Adelakun; Woodburn; Stockton, N'Mai
We say: Notts County 1-2 Salford City
Both teams are in desperate need of points as they aim to secure the chance at promotion to League One, meaning we expect this game to be an extremely hard-fought affair.
While the Magpies have the home advantage, the Ammies are unbeaten in their last four and have won three of the last four meetings between these two sides, leading us to expect an away victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
