- Stourbridge are 16th in the Southern League Premier Division Central with 44 points from 39 games, locked in a battle for survival. Needham Market are in 6th, with 66 points from 39, in a play-off race.
- Needham Market have won 3 games in a row and have won 3 of their last 5, while Stourbridge have won 1 of their last 5 (D2, L2).
Tactical clash of styles
Scott Adey-Linforth has brought a certain tactical versatility to Stourbridge since becoming manager, one that has seen his side play in a very direct and open way, at times, while at other times, they’ve been more patient and structured, building up well from the back. They’ve also been very adaptive in games, switching between these styles depending on how the game is going and often pressing high up the pitch when chasing the game. Charlie Pavey is their main attacking threat and has scored 3 of Stourbridge’s last 7 goals, so he’s the man to watch for Stourbridge.
Needham Market will be much less open in their approach to this game and will try to dominate possession and control the pace of the match, overloading their midfield, with full-backs pushing on. Tom Rothery’s men score an average of 1.11 goals per game away from home and concede an average of 1.32, so their games are often tight contests. Luke Ingram is the key man, with 3 goals in Needham Market’s last 7 and often the instigator of their attacks.
Both teams can score
This fixture will be a clash of two different styles of football, but both teams can certainly score here. The odds for ‘Both teams to score - Yes’ are short at 57/100 but we’ll take it here, as Needham are the slight favourites with the bookies at 107/100, while Stourbridge are 41/20 and the draw is 61/25. Considering Stourbridge’s inferior form, league position and worse recent H2H record, we’re going with the visitors to nick this in a tight game.
Needham have won 2 of the last 3 H2Hs and drawn the other, winning 3-0 at home 5 months ago in this competition. Stourbridge have drawn their last 2 home games 1-1 and have failed to win either of the last 2 H2Hs on home turf. Needham Market are the stronger side, are in better form and have the superior record in this fixture, so we’re taking them to edge this one in what should be a tight match.
