Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers meet at Sixfields for a mid-table clash in League One on Saturday.
Both clubs were involved in highly-dramatic encounters in midweek, which had differing fortunes for the two.
Match preview
© Reuters
With Northampton 12th and Bristol Rovers 10th, neither side are likely to do much at either end of the table, as solidifying a spot in mid-table is the only likely scenario for both now.
The two are more than 10 points clear of trouble but also more than 10 points adrift of the playoffs with just 14 games remaining.
Past seasons suggest the two would need to go on a near-perfect run in their final 14 games to threaten the top six, and Northampton struggled in a phenomenal encounter on Tuesday.
Despite pegging Leyton Orient back on three separate occasions, Northampton still eventually lost 4-3 thanks to Ruel Sotiriou's 97th-minute winner.
That defeat extended their winless run to four games, where their only point in that time came against a Bolton Wanderers side who played with 10 men for over an hour.
It comes after a 12-game spell where Northampton picked up a remarkable 26 points, and moved themselves away from the bottom four.
Considering Jon Brady's side were only outside the relegation zone on goals scored midway through November, being safely in mid-table just three months later will be satisfactory for the side who won promotion from League Two last season.
Bristol Rovers have suffered consistent inconsistency over the past few months, with their last 13 league games providing six wins and seven defeats.
© Reuters
Unlike Northampton, who have recovered from a tough start, Rovers have lingered around mid-table for much of the season, never really threatening the playoff places.
However, they did give their supporters a thrilling away day on Tuesday, turning a two-goal deficit on its head to win 3-2 away at Stevenage.
Goals from Luke Thomas, Chris Martin and Anthony Evans completed the turnaround, which saw Rovers leapfrog Northampton and move up into 10th.
The gap to Oxford United in the final playoff spot is still at 12 points though, and does appear insurmountable at this stage.
Team News
© Reuters
Northampton were without goalkeeper Lee Burge in midweek after he was forced off at half time in their draw with Bolton last weekend.
Louie Moulden was forced to deputise, and he could do so again as Burge remains a doubt heading into the weekend.
Many of Northampton's defensive options are also absent, with Sam Sherring, Akin Odimayo, Aaron McGowan and Ali Koiki all sidelined at present.
The biggest miss for the hosts is undoubtedly top scorer Sam Hoskins though, as he is also joined on the treatment table by Danny Hylton and Shaun Williams.
Bristol Rovers were able to welcome Jack Hunt back to the side in midweek as he played 90 minutes on his return from a brief absence.
Harvey Vale and George Friend are edging closer to recovering from injury, but the visitors will be without Sam Finley, Connor Taylor, Grant Ward and Luke McCormick.
A late red card to Kamil Conteh in midweek at Stevenage means he will serve a one-match suspension here.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Moulden; Lintott, Willis, Guthrie, Brough; Leonard, Gape, Hondermarck; Pinnock, Appere, Bowie
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Hunt, Wilson, Crama, Gordon; Sinclair, Aguilera, Evans, Brown; Thomas, Martin
We say: Northampton Town 2-2 Bristol Rovers
With virtually nothing to separate the sides in the league table, a close encounter is likely between two teams marooned in mid-table.
Despite not drawing any of their previous 13 league games, Rovers may have found their match here, and the two could cancel each other in another entertaining affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
