Title-chasing Notts County will be hoping to keep the pressure on table-toppers Wrexham when they host Scunthorpe United at Meadow Lane on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be aiming to boost their survival chances by making it back-to-back wins this weekend.

Match preview

Notts County were held to a 1-1 draw away at Barnet last time out, losing ground on National League leaders Wrexham in the promotion race.

The Magpies broke the deadlock three minutes before half time when Ruben Rodrigues's wonderful pass was swept home by Macaulay Langstaff, but the hosts equalised just minutes later when Idris Kanu powerfully headed in off the crossbar.

Luke Williams's side continued to pile on the pressure, but they could not find a winner as they slipped three points behind Wrexham, who also have a game in hand, and remain in second place.

However, Williams will be confident that his side can get a positive result this weekend, as Notts County have the second-best home record in the division, winning 14, drawing four and losing just one of the 19 matches they have played in front of their home fans this campaign to accumulate 46 points.

In addition, the Magpies have only tasted defeat once in their past 10 outings, and they also ran out 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture against Scunthorpe back in December.

As for the visitors, Cameron Wilson scored twice for Scunthorpe as the Iron boosted their survival chances with a handsome home win against Wealdstone United last time out.

Wilson struck either side of Will Smith's effort in first-half stoppage time, and after Nathan Ferguson pulled one back for the visitors, Jake Leake then added the home side's fourth.

That victory leaves Jimmy Dean's side in 22nd place, four points adrift of 20th-placed Dorking Wanderers, who are currently hovering one place above the relegation zone.

However, Dean will know that his side must improve on their travels if they want to maintain their National League status – the Iron have recorded nine points from 18 matches away from home this season, and only Maidstone United have picked up fewer.

Team News

Kyle Cameron returned to the side last weekend after missing the Magpies' victory over Eastleigh through illness, so he is expected to retain his place in defence, while Aden Baldwin missed the trip to the Hive Stadium due to injury, so he could be a doubt for this weekend.

Macaulay Langstaff, who has scored 36 goals in 38 appearances for Notts County this season, withdrew from the England C team as a precaution earlier in the week but is expected to be fit for the weekend's match against Scunthorpe.

Jodi Jones and Tiernan Brooks are both still in line to represent their countries and will therefore be absent for the Iron's visit.

As for the visitors, Jimmy Dean only made one change to the side that beat Wealdstone to the one that lost against Solihull Moors, so he could name an unchanged side for this clash after enjoying such an emphatic victory last weekend.

The Iron have also completed the signings of midfield pairing Liam Thompson (loan) and Dean Rance until the end of the season in a bid to boost their survival hopes, although both transfers are subject to league and FA ratification, so it remains to be seen if they will be involved this Saturday.

Notts County possible starting lineup:
Slocombe; Chicksen, Cameron, Bajrami, Brindley; Austin, Palmer, Bostock; Rodrigues, Langstaff, Nemane

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Ogle, Boyce, Richards-Everton, Leake; Bunker, Butterfield, Beestin; Pugh, Wilson, Elliott

We say: Notts County 3-0 Scunthorpe United

Notts County have an imperious home record, and Luke Williams will see this game as a must-win in order to keep the pressure on Wrexham at the top.

Scunthorpe have not won on their travels since January 25, so we are expecting a comfortable win for the home side.


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