- Head-to-head: Spalding Utd have won three of the last five head-to-head meetings.
- Home form: Spalding are unbeaten in four home matches across all competitions, scoring an average of 2.75 goals per game and conceding an average of 0.50 per game.
- Away form: Alvechurch are unbeaten in five away matches across all competitions, winning three and drawing two, whilst scoring nine goals.
The Tulips can make the grade
Recent form:
Spalding Utd have been in mixed form of late with two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five matches in all competitions, but Saturday's hosts will be confident of seeing off a side they beat 3-0 in this fixture eight months ago. The Tulips are the much better team on paper, and are clearly the more likely of the two to progress at home.
Players and tactics:
They also have their man of the moment in Bartosz Cybulski, who has scored two goals in his last five matches, whilst Spalding have only managed to score three in total during that period. Jimmy Dean's men have been playing fast-paced, direct soccer, pressing hard and winning the ball back quickly to hurt teams in transition, and they will certainly get at a more patient and possession-based Alvechurch, who have tended to avoid the kind of chaotic games that they are known for.
An open, end-to-end matchup looks likely
The Church were impressive in their 2-1 away win over Cambridge City FC in FA Cup Qualification, but they followed that result up with a disappointing 0-1 home loss to Bury Town FC, and then had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 away draw to Halesowen Town FC in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
That result means that Ian Long's side arrive in Lincolnshire with five wins, three draws and two defeats from their last 10 in all competitions, so they arrive with competitive momentum.
It’s a cup tie – both teams to score makes the grade
Betting options:
Backing Spalding Utd at 1.68 makes plenty of sense given that they are the better side and have the home advantage, but there is certainly a case to be made for Both Teams to Score – Yes, which is available at 1.8.
- It's a live bet on a match that should remain competitive, and over 2.5 goals at 1.9 also looks strong for a potential end-to-end clash.
- In contrast, The Church score an average of 1.8 away goals, so the edge goes to the hosts.
Conclusion:
A home win is our preferred outcome here, as Spalding Utd are yet to lose at home this season, whilst they score an average of 2.75 and concede 0.50 goals per home game.
