Stevenage are set to host Northampton Town at Lamex Stadium on Tuesday in League One as both sides look to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Stevenage are currently 17th with 19 points after 16 games, while Northampton are 18th with 18 points from their 17 matches this season.
Match preview
Alex Revell's Stevenage are winless in their last five league games and are four points above 21st-placed Leyton Orient, who occupy the first of four relegation spots in League One.
That stretch includes two draws and three losses, one of which was a disappointing 4-1 thrashing at home against promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers.
It is worthwhile to mention that Revell's side are the lowest scorers in the division with 11 goals so far, three fewer than any other team, and this lack of attacking output can be seen in the fact that Stevenage have scored just two goals in their five most recent league matches.
Last time out, Revell's side lost 1-0 at home in the FA Cup against league rivals Mansfield Town, and were unable to respond to Stephen McLaughlin's 48th-minute opener despite their 61% possession and 13 shots.
In their last league game, the Boro were blunt in a different manner, and played out a dull 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Leyton Orient in which they managed a measly singular effort on goal.
Revell will likely need to work on his side's ineffective attack if they are to avoid slipping down the table as the campaign progresses, though for a team in 17th place it is laudable that they have conceded just 16 goals this term, a record that is only bettered by five clubs.
Jon Brady's Northampton are in a similar league position to Stevenage, and are a mere three points above the relegation zone having played a game more than their opponents on Tuesday.
However, the Cobblers have been dealing with an extreme injury crisis that meant they were without a whopping 15 players at one point for their trip to Blackpool on November 16, and dealing with these circumstances should earn the team some leniency from fans.
Northampton are winless in their last five games across all competitions, losing two and drawing three in that time, including the aforementioned match against Blackpool that ended 0-0.
Last time out, Brady's side lost 2-1 on the road to Wigan Athletic in League One, a game in which Northampton were losing 2-0 at half time before Tom Eaves netted in the 56th minute.
Northampton may consider themselves unlucky not to have picked up at least one point from their trip to face the Latics given that Wigan goalkeeper Sam Tickle made a number of great saves in the second half, including stopping a big chance for Liam McCarron, who was one-on-one with the Englishman.
Regardless, Northampton have remained defiant in the face of harsh circumstances and results and will be looking to reward fans for their support so far this season with a victory on Tuesday.
Team News
Stevenage will need to keep up their strong defensive record against Northampton if they are to get a positive result, so expect Revell to select goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney as well as ever-reliable centre-backs Nathan Thompson and captain Carl Piergianni.
On the other hand, forwards Elliott List and Jake Young, who joined the lineup against the Stags in the FA Cup on Saturday, may drop back out of the XI this week for Nick Freeman and Jamie Reid, whom the manager prefers to start in League One.
Northampton still have a number of players out with long-term injuries, including Patrick Bough with a fractured leg, Ali Koiki, who is said to be out for several months with a muscle injury, and the more-recently-injured Jack Sowerby, who suffered a dislocated knee in mid-November.
Timothy Eyoma was subbed off with an injury for Aaron McGowan against Wigan, and McGowan may retain his place in the XI this Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Tom Eaves could stay in the lineup after coming off the bench for Tyler Roberts to score a goal in the loss against Wigan.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Mahoney; James-WIldin, Thompson, Piergianni, Butler; Thompson, White, Kemp; Freeman, Reid, Roberts
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; Odimayo, McGowan, Guthrie, Guinness-Walker; Chouchane, Hondermarck, McGeehan; Pinnock, Roberts, Fosu-Henry
We say: Stevenage 0-1 Northampton Town
Both clubs have struggled for form this season, though Stevenage have a commendable defensive record and Northampton are facing a major injury crisis.
However, Jon Brady's team have managed to score 19 goals this term despite their circumstances, eight more than Revell's side, and this greater attacking threat could see them come out narrow winners on Tuesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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