- Stourbridge are unbeaten in the last 2 H2H clashes, winning 1-0 at home 7 months ago.
- Stourbridge’s home league record this season stands at W6, D7 and L6, averaging 1.53 goals per-match.
- Bishop’s Stortford have failed to win in their last 3 away league matches (D1, L2).
A fixture with more at stake for the hosts
Stourbridge FC currently sit 16th in the Southern League Premier Division Central table on 43 points from 38 games, Bishop’s Stortford occupy a comfortable mid-table 14th spot with 47 points from 39 matches.
Stourbridge have been in indifferent form of late, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five league fixtures, while the visitors have struggled to get going in the final part of the season, winning just one, drawing two and losing the other two of their previous five league matches.
A tactical chess match
Stourbridge typically set up a hybrid back-five which looks to be compact and structured, playing with a measured tempo and patient buildup play, before unleashing a vertical pass and attacking with speed. On the other hand, Bishop’s prefer their back four to sit in a line and keep it compact, with the midfield players pushing up the pitch and applying pressure at the top of the pitch in hope of winning the ball back and breaking forward. This fixture will likely see these two contrasting styles of play face off in a game of chess, with the home side more likely to edge the fixture given their home record and the visitor’s recent away struggles.
Hosts to edge the contest
The odds favour the hosts coming into this one, with Stourbridge’s odds to win sitting at 13/20, and Bishop’s being the massive 83/25 underdogs. While I wouldn’t touch the home win, the double chance option is very tempting, but I will be taking the bet on both teams to score (61/100) and over 2.5 goals (31/50) to ensure some value is obtained from this fixture. Frank Norris has scored two of Stortford’s four goals across the last five games, if he can find the net one more time the visitors will stand a much better chance of getting a result.
Stourbridge’s win-draw-loss and Bishop’s recent form, coupled with the fact the away side are winless in their previous two trips to this venue, leads me to believe that the Glassboys will be edging this contest.
