Football – England – League Two
Saturday 18th April 2015 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Mid-table Northampton Town have a good chance to put some ordinary results behind them this afternoon when they take on second from bottom outfit Cheltenham Town at Sixfields Stadium. Northampton have registered just one league win from their last seven which is a definite downswing in form following a run of eleven matches with just one defeat.
That recent impressive run of form had lifted The Cobblers away from the relegation zone and they now sit in the relative comfort of a mid-table position, but had it not been for their recent slump, they may well have been an outside chance of a play-off spot.
Mathematically, it’s still possible for Northampton but they must win this afternoon to keep alive any hopes of overhauling Plymouth Argyle as The Pilgrims hold a seven-point advantage over them with just three league matches remaining. Northampton’s home form though has been very good, and having won seven of their last nine at Sixfields, you can’t rule them out here.
Cheltenham Town registered a vital three points in their battle against relegation with a 3-1 home win over Cambridge United at Whaddon Road and they’re now just one point adrift of third from bottom club Hartlepool United.
It’s becoming ever more clear though that it’s now a three-horse race between Hartlepool, Cheltenham and Tranmere Rovers to decide which two teams get relegated down to the Conference. Looking at Cheltenham’s away form you’d have to say The Robins are up against it as they’ve now gone nine matches without a win on the road and have lost their last two on the trot with defeats at York City and Wycombe Wanderers.
Cheltenham’s away record stands at 4-5-12 17/34.
Northampton have won the most home matches out of any club currently sitting outside the play-off pack (12), and I’ll back them to bounce back with a win here to keep their very slim hopes of a play-off place alive for another week. Could be a narrow 1-0 win for The Cobblers.
Pick: Northampton Town straight win @ 1.78 Bet Victor
