Northampton v Cheltenham Sky Bet League Two playoff semi-final first leg

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Northampton v Cheltenham in the Sky Bet League Two playoffs on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Cheltenham draw no bet
1pt 6-5 Betfred, BoyleSports

Team news

Northampton
Top scorer Sam Hoskins is suspended but manager Keith Curle otherwise has a full squad to choose from.

Cheltenham
Number one keeper Scott Flinders remains out, so Wigan loanee Owen Evans is expected to deputise.

Match preview

A lot can change in the space of three months but the coronavirus-enforced layoff may not prove a major hurdle for Cheltenham on their Sky Bet League Two semi-final first-leg trip to Northampton.

The Robins enter the League Two playoffs as the highest-ranked team, having finished fourth on the points-per-game table, and they can live up to that billing against a Northampton side who may be less prepared for battle.

Cheltenham lost only six of their 36 league games this season - no side in the fourth tier suffered fewer defeats - and that was largely down to a disciplined defence which was breached just 27 times.

Michael Duff’s men picked up four points from this season’s two meetings with Northampton, the latest coming in a 2-1 home win in February just two weeks prior to the implemented break.

The Robins, who kept clean sheets in eight of their 18 away trips, are a difficult side to beat and they’ll know exactly how to cope with Northampton’s direct approach.

The Cobblers are extremely effective in wide areas, with assist-king Nicky Adams always looking to supply first-time crosses into the box for Vadaine Oliver, but it may not be an effective strategy against League Two’s best defence.

The suspension to leading scorer Sam Hoskins takes away an element of pace and energy and Keith Curle’s decision to turn down friendly opportunities to concentrate on his own side's shape and strategy may have left them less sharp than their opponents.

Northampton lost three of their final four home games before the three-month hiatus and Cheltenham, who enjoyed a run out against Championship outfit Cardiff in preparation for this crunch clash, could capitalise and gain a crucial first-leg victory.

Key stat

Northampton won only one of their five games against playoff opponents, picking up just one point in two meetings with Cheltenham.

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