- Team form: Atherton Collieries are in mixed form with two wins, one draw and two defeats across their last five games.
- Away form: However, Trafford have three wins, one loss across their latest four away games.
- Previous meeting: The sides drew 2-2 at Trafford's ground in FA Cup Qualification 2026 and this looks likely to be another close game.
Colls have been in-and-out
Atherton Collieries took on a struggling Prescot Cables side in FA Cup Qualification 2026 a week ago, easily winning that contest 2-0 at home, before being held to a 2-2 draw by Trafford in the same competition at the weekend. This tie is already becoming a fixture of fine margins as the two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Trafford in this competition, so the Colls have plenty of motivation to overcome this opponent once more.
The hosts have two wins and two losses from their last four at home across all competitions and have scored just three goals in their previous four at this ground, suggesting that they lack bite in the attacking areas.
Trafford can get an away win
Recent results
- Trafford had an impressive 2-1 win over Heaton Stannington FC on the road in FA Cup Qualification 2026 before being pegged back by Atherton in a 2-2 draw.
- The Whites have three wins and one defeat from their previous four on the road across all competitions, scoring seven times on their travels, and have a greater defensive steel about them than the hosts.
Tactics and prediction
Atherton are a possession-based side, playing on the front foot with a lot of craft and guile in midfield to build up their attacks, while Trafford set up in a more pragmatic manner, looking to sit with three at the back or a back five and hoping to hit on the counterattack or score from set pieces.
That clash of styles should lead to an interesting game on Tuesday, but with Trafford looking the more likely side to nick it, we're going for the away win here at 3.31. Colls are in average form with four wins, a tie and five defeats from their latest ten across all competitions and Trafford, while in less impressive form with a slightly better record of two wins, one draw and two defeats from the last five, could have just the strength to steal the victory.
