- Recent form: Stafford Rangers have scored four goals across their last three home games in all competitions.
- Visitors form: Gateshead are winless in ten consecutive games across all competitions (D2, L8).
- Away form: Gateshead are yet to win an away game across all competitions this season (D0, L5).
An edgy cup game
Stafford Rangers are the likelier winner here, but the momentum from their 1-1 draw at The Heed's ground and the fact that they will have the crowd behind them for this replay makes it a tricky one to call for the hosts.
Rangers nicked a point at The Heed's ground to take this cup game to a replay, but the Heed are in a shocking run of form and will be desperate to get back on track at the first time of asking. Stafford come into this with four wins, two draws and four defeats from their last ten in all competitions, which is a much healthier record than their visitors.
Tough to tame the Heed
Form struggles:
The Heed are without a win in ten, a run which includes eight defeats and two draws, which is an awful record for a side who should be in the running for the National League North title at the very least.
They have been poor in all aspects, the 1-2 home loss to Worthing FC in the National League and the 1-1 draw at The Heed's ground are their two most recent outings and will give them a little confidence, but the rest of that run shows that they are in for a very difficult evening.
Recent results:
- A 1-2 home loss to Worthing FC in the National League and a 4-1 defeat away at Halifax Town in the same competition are the two most notable games since that 1-1 draw.
Stafford to edge it
The visitors are a possession-based side and they play in a 4-2-3-1, usually looking to overload the half-spaces and play patiently. They're a tough team to break down on their day, but they can become really tricky to play against when they get the crowd going and they press from the front, as Gateshead showed in the last meeting.
I think the most likely outcome here is a home win, but the Heed may make things difficult and it should be a tight game. However, Stafford have a little more of a dangerous edge, they're a more direct side and the long ball, the wide delivery and the pressure on corners and long throws can cause mayhem.
- Stafford should have enough to nick this one, so I'm supporting the hosts at 2.44, and I think Over 2.5 goals at 1.53 is a good bet as there will be a few big moments in this one, whilst Both Teams to Score – No at 2.45 looks like a good matchup in a game where the Heed are likely to struggle to break through.
