Fleetwood Town host Cheltenham Town in a clash which could prove vital for both teams come the end of the season.
Following the international break, which temporarily sidelined both clubs respectively, Good Friday poses an all important clash at the foot of the League One table.
With just a handful of fixtures remaining, The Cod Army and The Robins are still within contention of survival and with Cambridge United and Burton Albion seemingly in free-fall, they will fancy their chances of retaining their League One status.
Fleetwood Town
The Lancashire outfit are currently enjoying their best unbeaten run of the season, having picked up points in each of their last six fixtures. Since the appointment of Charlie Adam on New Year’s Eve, Fleetwood’s fortunes have taken a slight turn.
Despite losing the first three at the helm, the 38-year-old has only faced defeat twice since then, falling short to Lincoln City and Barnsley.
Highbury is the venue for Friday’s clash, with home advantage making Fleetwood the favourites.
The former Stoke City midfielder’s home record is respectable, returning 10 points from a possible 24, despite hosting three of the current top six in that period.
Perhaps a reason for the recent upturn in form is the system. Depending on the opposition, Adam rotates between a 3-4-3 as well as a 3-5-2.
Interestingly, lining up against ‘weaker’ opposition, the 3-4-3 approach appears to be favoured. This creates overloads in the wide positions, creating chances for Jayden Stockley who has been in a rich vein of form since the New Year, returning seven goals and four assists.
On the other hand, the 3-5-2 offers defensive solidarity, with a bank of three balanced midfielders sitting in front of the back five. However, this tactic is often used against stronger opposition, with a ‘hard to break down’ ethos being instilled.
Therefore, it is expected that The Cod Army will prefer the 3-4-3 on Friday, however with what’s at stake, it wouldn’t be surprising if a 3-5-2 is used instead as it is a must not lose.
Predicted Lineup
Lynch, Rooney, Heneghan, Sarpong-Wiredu, Broom, Kilkenny, Lawal, Patterson, Broom, Mayor, Stockley
Cheltenham Town
The Robins had a disastrous start to the campaign under former head coach Wade Elliott, failing to score in their first 11 fixtures and grabbing their first victory on the 13th attempt.
On the contrary, current boss Darrell Clarke has done an exceptional job to catapult the Gloucestershire side into a position where safety is a real possibility. Despite occupying 22nd, there is only a four point gap between themselves and survival, with additional fixtures on the teams above them.
Following a fantastic run in mid February, they currently find themselves on a winless streak, amounting to six matches. Understandably, this has knocked the belief out of the fanbase and the realism of the situation they find themselves in.
There’s no disputing that Friday can be perceived as not only a must win, but also a must not lose. Victory could take Cheltenham to within one point of safety, whereas defeat would see Fleetwood catapult them by two points, making their chances much harder.
The 3-5-2 has been a staple under Clarke, as he likes to be defensively solid, whilst creating a front three who press from the front. However due to injuries, a 3-4-2-1 has recently been imposed.
This formation benefits the attacking minded midfielders Cheltenham have at that disposal. Liam Sercombe, Josh Harrop and Jordan Thomas have been more involved following the tweak in tactics.
The Robins have struggled on the road this campaign, winning only three of their 19 encounters. Those wins have come against struggling opposition however, hinting that they perform well under pressure.
In the reverse fixture at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, Fleetwood ran out comfortable winners, therefore the Gloucestershire side will be looking for revenge in Lancashire.
Predicted Lineup
Southwood, Long, Davies, Shepherd, Freestone, Ferry, Pett, Kinsella, Sercombe, Keena, Lloyd
Writer’s View
Whilst acknowledging that this fixture is not make or break for either clubs season, there’s no disputing that it’s a significant fixture for both. With what’s at stake, and the fact that the campaign is coming to a close, it is going to be a tight, cagey affair.
Although not ideal, both teams would settle for a point, in hopes of following that up with an Easter Monday victory.
Score Prediction
1-1
