- Stourbridge are favourites for the win at 127/100 with Alvechurch the 19/10 second favourites and a draw is 54/25.
- Both teams to score - Yes is priced up at 31/50 with Over 2.5 goals coming in at 4/5.
- Stourbridge have won their last 2 games against Alvechurch, most recently 2-1 at Alvechurch 4 weeks ago.
Rivals both above and below the relegation zone
Stourbridge FC currently sit in 16th place on 42 points from 37 games and Alvechurch are directly above them in 15th on 45 points from 38 played, so it is fair to say this is a rivalry game on a knife edge. Scott Adey-Linforth’s side are in mixed form having won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 Southern League Premier Division Central 2025-2026 games. The manager has an analyst’s approach to the game and it shows with his compact, structure-first side more interested in defending solidly and hitting their opposition with swift counter-attacks than with possession-based play. The last 3 games have been a mixed bag starting with a wild 4-3 home win over relegation battling St. Ives Town FC, followed by a very disappointing 0-3 home defeat to play-off chasing Stratford Town. They’ve been so solid in the back line at home, that no one player has taken the limelight as a goalscorer in their recent games, although they have scored 28 times at home this season, more than 1.5 per home game.
Alvechurch’s all or nothing attitude
Ian Long’s Alvechurch are a different breed of football team entirely to Stourbridge. The manager has been bringing tempo since he was appointed in 2020. The side are direct in the attacking third, high-tempo and pressing. Long isn’t afraid to mess with formations in games to try and make things uncomfortable for the opposition. They are in good form with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from their last 5 league games and come into this one on the back of a 2-1 away victory. Emmanuel Ilesanmi has been in fine form with 3 goals in Alvechurch’s last 5 matches, a consistent threat that Stourbridge must be wary of.
Stourbridge’s solid structure vs Alvechurch’s high energy
This game will be a real clash of styles between the home side’s solid, structured play and the visitors’ all or nothing approach. Stourbridge are in mixed recent form with 3 wins and 2 defeats in their last 5 while they have won their last 2 head-to-heads. Alvechurch have been in better form overall and will be keen to gain the bragging rights in this local rivalry. Stourbridge have a fairly even home record (W6 D6 L6 from 18), whilst Alvechurch have won 7 of their 19 away games (D3 L9). Alvechurch have been more solid defensively on the road this season, conceding only 22 times in 19 games (1.16 per game). The bookies seem to expect goals in this one, but this fixture has been cagey of late with the sides averaging only 0.5 goals per game over the last 5 meetings at this venue. We’re going for Stourbridge to continue their winning run against Alvechurch in a tight, hard-fought 2-1 home victory.
