- Recent away form: The away side have averaged 2.00 goals per game and conceded an average of 3.00 goals per away game across their last 4 matches.
Sides have different strengths
Needham Market are the slight underdogs in this one, priced at 3.43 to Braintree Town FC's 1.87, with the draw priced at 3.8. The hosts have been in better form recently.
The Marketmen have had a better spell than their visitors in the last 5, going unbeaten (W3, D2) in all competitions. They defeated Stanway Rovers 3-1 last weekend in the FA Cup Qualification before beating Worcester City 2-0 on Tuesday in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
Braintree meanwhile have been inconsistent, their 2 games perfectly summarised their form, as they beat Maidstone Utd 2-1 at home before losing 3-2 away to Billericay Town FC.
A tale of two teams
Needham's approach
While this game has all the makings of a typical cup game, the difference is that Needham like to play a possession-based game. The home side like to try and control the tempo of the game with short passing, a back four and a high press but when that fails, they drop back into a mid-block.
Braintree's approach
Braintree are far more of a long-ball team. The Iron like to get the ball forward as quickly as possible, as Alfie Matthews has shown in recent weeks.
We think Braintree can cause some problems in this game, but their defence could also be picked off by the hosts.
- Alfie Matthews has been a spark in the final third and has scored 3 of their 9 goals in the last 5 across all competitions.
- They are a compact side, who like to put pressure on set pieces and long throws.
- The home side have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 6 home games in all competitions, but they have scored 9 goals in that time.
Goals on the cards?
Over 2.5 goals at 1.7 seems a strong play in this match-up, it fits the game nicely. Both teams to score looks a good bet at 1.65 as well.
