- Alvechurch is unbeaten in their last three league fixtures, winning two.
- Royston Town have picked up just one win from their last five games, with one draw and three losses.
- Alvechurch have a very good recent record against Royston Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central, winning four of their last five encounters in this division.
Alvechurch looking to punish misfiring hosts
Alvechurch will be looking to take advantage of misfiring Royston Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central when the two teams go head-to-head this Saturday. The home team come into this contest having won two and drawn one of their last three league games, while the visitors have won one, drawn one and lost three of their previous five.
Alvechurch have been much the better team in this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five head-to-head clashes between the two sides. The most recent match-up, which was played at the ground of the visitors, ended 3-0 to the away side, and another comfortable win looks likely when these two sides meet this weekend.
15th-placed Alvechurch have collected 46 points from their 39 games, while the 21st-placed visitors have mustered just 25 points in the same amount of matches. Ian Long has installed a progressive, possession-based style of play at Lye Meadow that allows his players to dictate the pace of the game, create overloads down the wings and press the opposition aggressively. Alvechurch’s recent results at home has been solid, winning one, drawing one and losing one of their last three league matches, but this weekend’s contest looks an easier proposition for The Villagers.
Steve Castle has done a fine job with Royston Town, but the pragmatic, direct style he has installed at Royston does not match up well against this Alvechurch side. Royston will try to win the aerial contests and win the second balls and have to make the most of every set-piece opportunity. The direct style of the visitors doesn’t suit the pace of Alvechurch and it is hard to see how they can hold off the home team in this contest.
Alvechurch have scored 24 goals at home this season, more than Royston Town have managed on their travels (14). Emmanuel Ilesanmi is The Villagers’ main attacking weapon and the forward has scored three of the team’s last six league goals. Alvechurch are the clear favourites here at 53/100 and Royston are as long as 417/100. The price on the hosts is more than fair given Alvechurch’s great recent record in this matchup and the fact that home advantage has meant a lot for both of these teams this season.
