Salford City take on Notts County at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday night, in a battle between two teams that will be aiming to achieve promotion from League Two this season.

However, as things stand, the hosts are 18th in the table, while the visitors are up in second place.

Match preview

Salford have not made the best of starts to the season, having collected just seven points from their opening seven games, which leaves them five points adrift of the playoffs.

The Ammies are on a poor run of form in the league, having lost their last three games on the bounce, despite putting in a promising performance away at Tranmere Rovers back in August, running out 4-3 winners in an enthralling game.

However, there have still been some encouraging signs for Neil Wood's side, most notably beating Leeds United on penalties in the EFL Cup at the end of last month after drawing 1-1 in regular time.

That performance indicates Salford definitely have the quality to be promotion contenders this season, but they came up short again in their last match, losing 2-1 at home to Walsall.

Despite having seven shots on target and dominating possession, the Ammies fell to a 2-1 defeat against the Saddlers, with Freddie Draper and Oisin McEntee's second-half goals securing the three points.

Notts County were handed a thrashing in their first game back in the EFL, losing 5-1 away at Sutton United, but since then they have responded very well, putting in performances which indicate they will be contenders for automatic promotion.

As things stand, the Magpies are just one point behind league-leaders Gillingham, having won four and drawn two of their last six games, coming out on top in all of their games at Meadow Lane.

Luke Williams's side have been a little less convincing on the road, with their only victory coming against bottom-of-the-table Doncaster Rovers, but they have faced tough opposition in recently-relegated Morecambe and MK Dons.

Notts County managed to take a point at Stadium MK in their last match, with Kyle Cameron getting on the scoresheet for the first time this season in the second half, cancelling out Daniel Harvie's opener.

Team News

After suffering a disappointing defeat in their last match, Salford may choose to make a couple of changes, with Ryan Watson potentially coming back in for Ossama Ashley in the centre of the park.

Matt Smith already has three goals to his name this season, scoring against Walsall last time out, and the striker is poised to lead the line on Friday, being supported by Conor McAleny.

Notts County were in EFL Trophy action last time out, losing 2-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s, and they are likely to revert to a more familiar starting lineup, with the likes of Matt Palmer, Richard Brindley, and Kyle Cameron coming back into the side.

Macaulay Langstaff is the danger man for the Magpies, having already amassed five goal contributions in League Two this season, and the 26-year-old is set to lead the line.

Salford City possible starting lineup:
Cairns; Ingram, Vassell, Tilt, John; Ashley, Bolton, Mallan, McLennan; McAleny, Smith

Notts County possible starting lineup:
Stone; Rawlinson, Brindley, Cameron; Nemane, Bostock, Palmer, Chicksen; Austin, Crowley, Langstaff

We say: Salford City 0-1 Notts County

Notts County have started the season very well, while Salford City have struggled in their recent matches, losing their last three games on the spin.

As such, we expect a narrow victory for the visitors, who will go top of the table providing they do not lose.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email