Two teams battling against relegation from League One are set to come together on Saturday afternoon when basement dwelling Burton Albion host Northampton Town at the Pirelli Stadium.
The hosts are at the bottom of the table heading into this game, with just 14 points from 23 matches, while the visitors are 19th in the standings with 23 points from 24 games.
Match preview
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Burton Albion survived in League One by the skin of their teeth last season as they finished 20th in the table with 46 points from 46 games, leaving them just two points above 21st-placed Cheltenham Town.
Their luck appears to have run dry following last year's narrow survival, with Burton Albion now residing at the bottom of the table with just 14 points from 23 games in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Brewers have won just twice in League One so far, the fewest victories of any side, while their tally of eight draws is the joint-most in the league, an issue that has reared its head in each of their last two matches.
Having taken the lead against both Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United, Burton Albion have been pulled back to draws in each match, extending their winless run to seven fixtures across all competitions.
Now looking to break that streak, Gary Bowyer will be aiming for his first victory since taking charge in mid-December, having overseen two draws and two losses so far.
Northampton Town have faced their own struggles in the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, failing to build on their promising 14th-place finish in League One last season, their first back in the division following promotion from League Two in 2022-23.
The Cobblers currently sit 19th in the table with 23 points from 24 matches, after five wins, eight draws and 11 defeats, leaving them three clear of the relegation zone.
However, they have played one more game than four of the five teams below them, except Crawley Town, who have played two fewer, leaving Northampton precariously positioned just above the drop zone.
They have won just one of their last 12 league matches, a dismal run that has dragged them down the table and led to the sacking of former manager Jon Brady, with Kevin Nolan taking over shortly before Christmas.
Nolan finds himself in a similar situation to Bowyer upon his recent arrival, with both still searching for their debut victories at their new clubs, something both will be hoping to achieve here.
Team News
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Burton might be without Nicholas Akoto, who was forced off with an injury in the 76th minute of their 2-2 draw with Peterborough, but they could be boosted from the return of Terence Vancooten, now available after serving his suspension.
Elsewhere, Bowyer is likely to have been encouraged by aspects of their performance despite squandering the 2-0 lead, meaning the manager could start a largely unchanged side here.
Jack Baldwin is unlikely to feature for the visitors after missing the last match due to injury, while Jon Guthrie may also be absent after coming off with an injury in the first-half of the draw to Stevenage.
Cameron McGeehan and Nesta Guinness-Walker are both set to be absent from the squad for a number of weeks due to recent injury issues, leaving Nolan with a lack of options in attack.
Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Vancooten, Sweeney, Armer; Godwin-Malife, Chauke, Watt, Webster, Williams; Burrell, Orsi-Dadomo
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; McGowan, Eyoma, Willis, Odimayo; Pinnock, Hoskins, Hondermarck, Chouchane; Eaves, McCarron
We say: Burton Albion 2-1 Northampton Town
Although both teams have struggled this season, Burton have come close to victory in their last two matches before being drawn back, and we believe they will secure their first win under Bowyer in this encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
