Despite being 20th, Halifax actually have the joint best defence in the league. They have struggled more on the scoring front. Combine that with our efforts away from home, it points to me that this game will be a long, boring 90 minutes of frustration and annoyance. I'd predict a 0-0, but then again we have a penchant for gifting teams 3 points from a corner or when thinking we are Barcelona in our own box, so it could easily be a 1-0 home win.
My prediction: 0-0 bore draw.
Attendance: 1, 862, 000
I desperately hope I'm wrong though, I've paid for the stream!!
Starting Line-up:
Back 4 fairly solid, protected by Reeves (legs) and Doyle (know how). If they are very direct, you'd be tempted to put a Ben Turner in there, but in my mind the play-off final is still too fresh, I have nightmares seeing his turning circle.
Going forward, Doyle to play the neat passes left and right and Rodrigues to pick those forward passes we so often lack, plus given the freedom to roam and get in the box as he sees fit. Thomas to offer the direct threat, getting them turned, uses his pace and physicality. Roberts to get himself on the ball and beat his man.
I think this is too attacking for what Neal Ardley usually puts out away from home. Obviously a lot of his team selection depends on fitness, what happened with covid etc... but I'd expect to see something more like this:
4-3-3 by name, but pretty much a 4-5-1. Time will tell!
Good preview here:
https://www.nottscountystats.com/post/preview-f-c-halifax-town-a