- Cheshunt finished 13th in the Isthmian Premier Division in 2025-26 with 47 points, a solid result.
- This is one of the first ever matches between Cheshunt and Stanway Rovers in the league.
- Stanway Rovers are in their first season in the 6th tier after a promotion campaign in 2025-26.
Chessboard clash for two teams with no points to their name
Two sides with no points start the 2026-2027 Isthmian Premier Division campaign on Saturday and this opening clash will be all about grabbing rhythm at Cheshunt Stadium, England.
Cheshunt FC finished 13th in the 2025-26 season with 47 points, a decent result but not exactly a barnstorming one. James Elliott's men have had an up and down summer as they looked to bed in new signings and Elliott's ideas after he took charge in July 2026.
Stanway Rovers meanwhile are a team with promotion momentum after storming into the 6th tier of English football via the 2025-26 play-offs in the Isthmian North.
Jamie Shaw's side, who begin this campaign under a new manager after his departure, have to be commended for winning that play-off final on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Redbridge, but they now have it all to do to establish themselves in the Premier Division.
Two contrasting styles could make this a tactical chess match
Cheshunt are very much a football team who want to play and will play through the thirds, with structure, balance and attacking patterns very much key to how Elliott wants his team to function.
His key men are his experienced attacking core and the physical centre-back duo who should cause problems for Stanway on set pieces and second balls.
Stanway are more direct and pragmatic and happy to go long and trying to win aerial duels and then causing problems on the break or via set pieces.
With Jamie Bennett and Nat Mardell the danger men at this level, the strikeforce that drove their promotion push by banging in goals will have to come to the fore once more.
Game could be too close to call
Odds for this game look about right with Cheshunt 19/20 favourites, Stanway Rovers 11/5 and the draw at 131/50.
But we're going to side with the home side to come out on top, albeit with a slight bias towards a draw in the correct score market, as the team with the slight edge should be just about enough to win this one.
A 1-1 or 2-1 correct score seems the most likely outcome and Both Teams To Score - Yes at 51/100 with Over 2.5 goals at 29/50 are our main selections for this one.
