Two teams with contrasting objectives in the National League are set to meet at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday, as promotion hopefuls Gateshead host relegation-threatened Aldershot Town.
The hosts sit fourth in the standings with 33 points from their opening 17 fixtures, while the visitors are 17th with 18 points from 17 games, just two points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Having secured their promotion to the National League as champions of the National League North in 2021-22, finishing top of the table with 94 points from 42 outings, Gateshead were looking to make it two promotions in three seasons last term.
Despite finishing the campaign in sixth place, amassing 75 points from their 46 outings, Gateshead were denied the opportunity to compete in the playoffs due to failing to meet the entry criteria for membership of the English Football League.
Chairman Neil Pinkerton has stated that he expects the club to meet any needed criteria this year, but the Heed must first earn the chance to secure their place in League Two.
They have enjoyed a positive start to the season in their pursuit of promotion, with Gateshead sitting fourth in the table with 33 points from 17 matches, leaving them just a point behind third-placed Barnet and five behind league leaders York City.
Former manager Rob Elliot left the club at the start of October to join Crawley Town, with Carl Magnay stepping in as his replacement, but Gateshead have won just twice in his four league games, a record Magnay will be eager to improve with a victory here.
As for Aldershot, after finishing eighth last season and narrowly missing out on the playoff places by only two points, they will be extremely disappointed with their start to this campaign.
They are coming into this game sitting 17th in the standings with only 18 points from 17 fixtures, from four wins, six draws and seven defeats, including going without a win in their last three National League outings.
The visitors have actually won just one of their last 11 league fixtures, while they are heading into this one having suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions.
Tommy Widdrington, in charge since April 2023, will be desperate to put an end to that underwhelming run with a win in this game, looking to put distance between themselves and the drop zone.
Team News
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The hosts could name a number of changes after suffering a miserable 3-0 loss to relegation-battling AFC Fylde last time out, with Magnay looking for a significantly improved performance here.
Owen Oseni is one player likely to keep his place in the starting lineup, as the striker is Gateshead's top scorer in the league with six goals so far this campaign.
Aldershot will be without the services of both Dan Ellison and Aaron Jones after the pair were sent off in their 2-0 defeat to Wealdstone last time out due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Elsewhere, Widdrington may make a number of changes as he continues to search for the solution to their ongoing issues, including ending their four-game losing run across all competitions.
Gateshead possible starting lineup:
Moss; Radcliffe, Belehouan, Jones; Hannant, Butterfield, Whelan, Booty, Newton; Oseni, Malcolm
Aldershot Town possible starting lineup:
Dewhurst; Byrd, Menayese, Maghoma, Scott; Akpan, Widdrington, Hargreaves; Ghandour, Henry, Barrett
We say: Gateshead 2-0 Aldershot Town
The hosts may still be finding their feet under new manager Magnay, but the visitors are heading into this match without a win in five across all competitions, leading us to believe Gateshead will comfortably win here.
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