- Needham Market have 8 wins from 14 home league matches and an average of 1.79 goals per game.
- AFC Sudbury have never won away at Needham Market.
Back the hosts for local bragging rights
Needham Market currently sit 7th in the Southern League Premier Division Central table after 27 matches, 42 points from 27 matches reflecting a very decent campaign. Their recent form has been patchy, with 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their last 5 league fixtures, although back-to-back losses to Stamford AFC and Kettering Town FC last time out will have been a blow for Needham Market.
AFC Sudbury are in 21st place in the same division, having collected just 21 points from their opening 27 games. A winless streak of 5 league games (D1, L4) has seen Sudbury’s relegation position become increasingly perilous, and they now look to be in a real battle for their Southern League Premier Division survival. They travel to Needham Market on Tuesday night without a win in their last 3 away games.
A heavy local rivalry, coupled with the hosts’ much better form and recent tactical changes from both managers, should make for an interesting encounter. Needham Market will look to take advantage of their extra pace and quality by overloading the wide areas, looking to transition quickly and pressing their opponents high up the field. AFC Sudbury will look to set up in a more pragmatic manner, sitting deep, allowing opponents to have the ball and then looking to exploit the space on the break with quick counters and dangerous set pieces.
Hosts are the clear favourites
Needham Market are priced as heavy favourites for this game at 37/100, with AFC Sudbury priced as outsiders at 28/5, a pricing that’s more than fair given the gulf in league positions and form of the two sides. Both Teams To Score looks tempting at 113/100, but AFC Sudbury’s leaky defence and the attacking intent of the home side make Over 2.5 Goals at 43/100 the top pick.
Sudbury are likely to be second best
AFC Sudbury can be dangerous on their day, with Kien Connolly - scorer of 2 of Sudbury’s last 5 league goals - often proving a handful for opposition defences. The visitors will need to be at their best to earn a positive result however, and the visitors may struggle to contain a Needham Market side who average 1.79 goals per home league game. Needham Market’s superior form, quality and home record should see them take all 3 points on Tuesday.
