- Form: Needham Market are unbeaten in 2 straight, scoring 5 goals in their last 2 games.
- Away form: Stanway Rovers are winless in 2 away (L2).
- Overall run: Stanway Rovers have won just 1 of their last 10 across all competitions (D2, L7).
FA Cup battle on the horizon
Needham Market come into this FA Cup First Qualifying Round replay unbeaten in 2, beating Stratford Town 2-1 away in the Southern League Premier Division Central before a 3-3 draw at home with Peterborough Sports in the same competition.
The hosts are 1.65 favourites here and a lot of that has to do with Stanway Rovers' recent poor form which has seen them win just 1 of their last 10 in all competitions (D2, L7).
Rovers were 0-2 losers at home to Aveley in the Isthmian League Premier Division before last Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to The Marketmen in the first leg of this cup tie, so there is a place in the next round and bragging rights.
Marketmen more likely to edge it
Needham Market are the more likely winners here as the odds suggest, but that first leg was cagey and with Stanway struggling for form, they may not have the firepower to finish off the favourites here.
However, there is enough to suggest this could be close and tense once more with a replay in progress.
Needham are winless in their last 4 home matches across all competitions (D1, L3) so home advantage may not be of much help to The Marketmen, while Stanway are seeking their first away win in 4 road games across all competitions (D1, L3).
Contrasting styles on display
Play styles
The styles of these teams should contrast quite nicely, with Needham generally more possession based, patient in build-up and looking to use the width and delivery.
Rovers, on the other hand, will come with a higher tempo, looking to press and break at pace.
If that leads to plenty of turnovers and counterattacks, it could be a thrilling evening for Rovers, but we'll have to wait and see.
Scoring and reliance
- Stanway have been heavily reliant on Stephen Toussaint for goals of late, with the forward bagging 2 of the team's 2 goals across their last 5.
- Needham have been more prolific of late, hitting 5 across their last 2 and we can see a couple here.
Go for goals
The odds point to goals, with Over 2.5 at 1.62 and Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.61, as Needham score an average of 1.00 and concede 2.25 goals per home game across all competitions, while Rovers score just 0.25 per away game and concede 2.50 on average.
