- Altrincham have lost three matches in a row, winning just two of their last five across all competitions.
- FC Halifax Town have won two and lost three of their last five matches across all competitions.
- FC Halifax Town are the form team, despite only being 16th in the National League 2026-2027 table.
Altrincham’s early-season blues
Altrincham have started the National League 2026-2027 in horrific fashion, sitting 23rd in the league with no points from their opening three games. The early-season pressure must be mounting on Neil Gibson's side who are winless after one game at home and have scored just one goal so far in this division.
Gibson has been head coach since 25 November 2025 and has built a short passing game around a 4-2-3-1 system that relies on a high-press. It can leave plenty of space in behind, though, and the Robins have failed to capitalise on their chances so far this season.
In fact, the two results leading into this fixture have both been 1-0 away defeats to Sutton United and Boston United, a terrible run of form that will have killed any momentum carried over from last season. Tom Crawford is the National League 2026/2027's top scorer for Altrincham with one goal in two games, but he will need service to get the Robins' attack going on Friday.
Halifax Town are the healthier option
Halifax Town have also been in mixed form to start the National League 2026-2027 season. They currently sit 16th in the table with three points and are the more in-form side to date.
The Shaymen have split their two home games so far, losing 1-3 to Boreham Wood and beating Tamworth 4-1. In terms of personnel, John McGrath has made his players fit and energetic since taking over on 1 July 2026, his compact and intense side set up for pressing in true McGrath fashion.
Zak Gilsenan is the National League 2026/2027's most lethal player for Halifax Town, scoring three goals in three games. He has three of The Shaymen's eight goals across their last five in all current competitions, making him the most likely source of goals on Friday.
A close contest is on the cards
This could be a cagey affair on Friday as Halifax Town are a well-organised unit that can be compact and clog up the midfield. Altrincham have had some poor results against The Shaymen in recent times, but they have a poor record in this fixture and are coming into this one on the back of three consecutive defeats. Under 2.5 goals at 97/100 looks the savvy bet here, as it matches up with our prediction for this being a tight match. Halifax are the narrow form favourites at 8/5 ahead of Altrincham at 3/2 and the draw at 12/5, but we think they only just have the edge in this one and we're going for a 1-1 correct score.
