- Home form: Harrogate Town have won two and lost one of their last three home games in all competitions.
- Away form: Altrincham have won their last two away games in all competitions.
Simmering Sulphurites will have some bite
Manager and standing
Simon Weaver has been Harrogate Town manager since May 2009 and his experience of the EFL is probably what has helped the Sulphurites to 2nd spot in the National League 2026-2027 with 32 points from 16 matches, keeping the EFL return dream well and truly alive.
Attack and threats
Harrogate are averaging 2.88 goals per home game in the National League 2026-2027, having already scored 23 goals in their own backyard in the league. They have plenty of attacking thrust, so Altrincham will need to keep Jimmy Knowles quiet if they are to have a chance at Wetherby Road.
Form and recent matches
Harrogate's recent form has been mixed with two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five in all competitions, but their home form is solid, with 2 wins and 1 loss from their last three at home. They came into the season from a 2-2 draw away at Forest Green Rovers in the National League 2026-2027, but were then brought down to earth with a 1-4 home defeat by AFC Fylde in the FA Cup 2026/2027.
Altrincham are a decent National League side
Neil Gibson has been in charge of Altrincham since November 2025, and the Robins are 7th in the National League 2026-2027 with 28 points from 16 games, right in the play-off scrap. They are averaging a modest 1.12 goals per away game in the National League 2026-2027, having scored nine on the road, so sharpness might be an issue on Saturday.
- Altrincham have also been a mixed bag of results recently with two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five in all competitions.
- They came into the FA Cup 2026-2027 season from a 1-2 away win over Yeovil Town in the National League 2026-2027, and then played out a 0-0 draw with Kidderminster Harriers before a 2-4 home loss to Carlisle United.
Harrogate are in the driver’s seat
Although Harrogate are 1.62 favorites, with Altrincham 4.39 and the draw 3.84, the visitors have no reason not to be competitive in this one. Their road record of 4-0-4 in the National League 2026/2027 suggests they are prone to the odd boom-or-bust game, but they do possess the possession-based patience to get into the game and turnovers in transition will be their most likely path to a win.
Harrogate have an interesting 3-4-2-1 system that is progressive on the wing-backs, but not based around the all-out pressing. It will take time for this to click, but Altrincham's counterpressing game is designed to stop the rhythm and nick turnovers.
Harrogate look the more likely winners, but the price suggests this could be a sticky match if Altrincham land the first blow. An over bet of 1.58 looks right for what should be an open contest with plenty of attack at both ends, although Harrogate's home form and league position is better so I'm going to go with the home side to win.
Ellis Taylor has three in his last five for Harrogate, so he may well be good for a goal at any time.
