Sports Mole previews Saturday’s FA Cup clash between Stevenage and Guiseley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
In the first round of the FA Cup, League One side Stevenage are set to host seventh-tier side Guiseley on Saturday at Lamex Stadium.
The home team are 15th with 17 points after 14 matches in League One and lost 4-1 against Bolton Wanderers on October 29, while the visitors are seventh in the Northern Premier Division with 22 points from 13 league games.
Match preview
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Stevenage are in poor form having lost five of their last six matches, conceding 12 times while scoring three goals in those games.
The hosts are seven points clear of the 21st-placed Cambridge United, who occupy the division’s final relegation spot, but they are also six points from sixth-placed Bolton, who occupy the final promotion playoff spot.
Manager Alex Revell raised concerns about his team’s ability to retain possession at crucial moments in the aftermath of his side’s loss against Bolton, suggesting that individual errors have proved to be the club’s undoing in recent weeks.
In last season’s FA Cup, Stevenage were knocked out in the third round by Maidstone United in January, losing 1-0 after Samuel Corne‘s 45th-minute goal.
The home side have lost their last two matches at Lamex Stadium, but they did win five of the prior six home games.
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As for Guiseley, they come into Saturday’s clash having lost 2-1 against Armthorpe Welfare on October 22.
The visitors reached the first round of the FA Cup after winning four preliminary qualifying rounds, including a 1-0 win against Kidderminster Harriers in their most recent FA Cup match on October 12.
Boss Mark Bower was upbeat about his team’s trip to Stevenage, though he acknowledged that many of his players will not have faced a challenge as difficult as the one they will encounter on Saturday.
Bower’s side have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five games, and have only won three of their nine most recent matches.
The away team have also not won any of their last three away fixtures, but they did win the prior four matches on the road.
Stevenage form (all competitions):
Guiseley FA Cup form:
Guiseley form (all competitions):
Team News
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The hosts could start Murphy Mahoney in goal in place of Taye Ashby-Hammond, and replace Kane Smith with Nick Freeman at right-back.
In midfield, it would not be surprising if Daniel Phillips was partnered by Harvey White, while Eli King could also feature in the middle of the pitch.
Jake Young may start up front as a striker, flanked by wide players Jordan Roberts and Elliott List.
As for Guiseley, Bower’s side had no fixture last weekend and their injury situation has lessened as a result.
They may start Joe Cracknell in goal behind a defence consisting of Liam Ridehalgh, Lebrun Mbeka, John Lufudu and Oliver Brown.
Jake Lawlor and Joe Ackroyd are candidates to start in a double pivot, while William Longbottom and Gabriel Johnson could start in the forward line.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Mahoney; Freeman, James-Wildin, Piergianni, Butler; Phillips, White, King; Roberts, Young, List
Guiseley possible starting lineup:
Cracknell; Ridehalgh, Mbeka, Lufudu, Brown; Moke, Lawlor, Ackroyd, Ekpolo; Longbottom, Johnson
We say: Stevenage 2-1 Guiseley
While Stevenage may make changes from the team that faced Bolton, it is difficult to see how Guiseley can take advantage given the calibre of their opponents.
However, Guiseley have already won four FA Cup preliminary qualifying matches and they could make Saturday’s match a close affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.