Cheltenham v Northampton
22 June 19:45hrs
Football – England –League 2
Pick Northampton to Score First
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 5/4 odds taken at 12:15 BST, Sunday 21 June
Table of Contents
A play-off semi-final can bring about pressures not known in other levels of football and Cheltenham can not afford to take things easy against Northampton, despite holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg.
Cheltenham Preview – Robins need to hold their nerve
Goals from Charlie Raglan and Conor Thomas at Sixfields have given Michael Duff’s team a 2-0 advantage ahead of the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
But the Robins rode their luck in the first leg, particularly in the first half when goalkeeper Owen Evans saved a penalty. The Wigan loanee was probably his side’s best player so Cheltenham fans shouldn’t be taking anything for granted regarding a place in the final.
Their side are on a seven-match unbeaten run, however, and it’s likely that the manager will again opt to match Northampton’s physicality by leaving the diminutive Alfie May and Luke Varney on the bench.
Cheltenham have a pretty decent record at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium but that is with the crowd behind them. The eerie atmosphere of an empty stadium can be a disadvantage and Duff’s players will need to hold their nerve to confirm their place at Wembley.
Both Teams to ScoreNorthampton Preview – Curle urging an adventurous approach
The Cobblers will be kicking themselves for losing the home leg of the play-off semi-final.
Northampton were probably the better side in the first leg but squandered several opportunities to score, including a first-half penalty. Ryan Watson was the guilty party from 12 yards but he was standing in for the suspended Sam Hoskins, who returns for the second leg.
Having lost five times in their last seven matches, Northampton are hardly in the best of form but they are normally fast out of the blocks and the tie would be turned its head if the visitors grabbed an early goal.
Andy Williams and Harry Smith are possible replacements for Callum Morton in attack if Curle decides to go for broke. The Cobblers will certainly be a more potent force for the return of Hoskins and there will be some nail-biting among Cheltenham supporters if his team-mates rediscover their shooting boots.
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Trends – Cheltenham vs Northampton Betting Tips
- Cheltenham have won their last five matches against Northampton
- Northampton have only won once at Cheltenham in all competitions since 2009
- No more than a total of five goals in the last six matches between the teams
Northampton will almost certainly come out with all guns blazing again and the tie could rest on whether Cheltenham can repel the early onslaught. Sam Hoskins is a tempting 7/2 to be an Anytime Goalscorer with Paddy Power with Both Teams To Score 11/10 on Betfair. An Away Win is 21/10 with Bet365, not a forlorn hope considering the balance of play in the first leg though it may not be enough to rescue the tie if they can’t keep the back door shut.
The best betting odds for Cheltenham vs Northampton
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 7/5 | 31/20 | 7/5 |
| Northampton | 21/10 | 2/1 | 2/1 |
| Draw | 11/5 | 21/10 | 11/5 |
(Odds correct with Bet365, Betvictor & Betway at 12:45 BST 22 June)
