Gateshead take on Yeovil Town at the Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday night, in what could prove to be a vital game in the National League season.
Both sides are embroiled in the relegation battle, with the hosts currently sat in 20th, two points above the visitors, who occupy 21st place.
Match preview
Gateshead are just two points above the relegation zone, although they have played two fewer games than Tuesday's opponents, and their performances have been very much improved in recent weeks.
In their last five National League matches, the Heed have picked up eight points, defeating the likes of Aldershot Town and Dagenham & Redbridge, while also picking up important points against Halifax Town and Maidstone United.
Home form has been a problem for Mike Williamson's side all season, amassing just 20 points in 18 matches at the Gateshead International Stadium, and only managing to win two games on their own patch in the whole of 2023.
It has been a difficult first season back in the fifth tier for Gateshead in many ways, but one saving grace has been their fantastic run in the FA Trophy, recently confirming their place at Wembley after a victory against Barnet on penalties.
In what was a remarkable game, the Heed raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half, but the Bees roared back, with Harry Pritchard scoring in the 102nd minute to send the game to a penalty shootout, however Williamson's men kept their nerve, with Louis Storey scoring the crucial spot kick.
Yeovil have also had a tough campaign, but unlike their opponents, their form is not showing any signs of major improvement, and they are now winless in five National League games.
All season, the Glovers have picked up just 12 points on their travels, the joint-third lowest amount of any side in the fifth tier, failing to win since a 2-0 victory at Dagenham & Redbridge way back in January.
The main reason Mark Cooper's side find themselves in such a perilous position is because of a lack of goals, scoring just 32 goals in 39 games this season, by far and away the fewest of any side, and they have failed to score more than one in a match since the start of February.
Despite their terrible recent form, there is still time for Yeovil to turn their season around, given that a win on Tuesday night would see them move out of the relegation zone, overtaking their opponents, but they will have to play a whole lot better than they did last time out.
The Glovers were defeated 2-0 at home against Southend United in another dismal display, with Jake Hyde getting on the scoresheet in the first half, before Rhys Murphy sealed all three points for the visitors with a goal in stoppage time.
Team News
Adam Campbell returned to the Gateshead starting lineup with a goal against Barnet last time out, before scoring in the shootout, and he is likely to be rewarded with a start up front, playing alongside Marcus Dinanga.
The Heed had numerous players unavailable as a result of being cup-tied in the FA Trophy, with Callum Whelan, Connor Pani, Ed Francis, Stephen Wearne and Tom Allan all now back in contention.
Kenton Richardson has not made the squad for the last two games due to injury, and the midfielder is expected to miss out again, while Lewis Knight and Will Harris are also doubts.
Yeovil striker Alex Fisher suffered a horror ankle injury which forced him to be stretchered off against Southend at the weekend, meaning Jordan Maguire-Drew is poised to lead the line for the Glovers, and he will be looking to add to his three league goals this season.
Centre-back Miguel Freckleton was sent off for a second bookable offence on Saturday, meaning Max Hunt could slot in at centre-back.
Gateshead possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Francis, Pye, Storey, Whelan; Olley, Pani, Tinkler, Wearne; Dinanga, Campbell
Yeovil Town possible starting lineup:
Smith; Bevan, Hunt, Law, Staunton; Young, Pollock, Cooper, Clarke, Oluwabori; Maguire-Drew
We say: Gateshead 1-0 Yeovil Town
Gateshead are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, and they should be full of confidence heading into Tuesday's encounter after their morale-boosting FA Trophy semi-final victory last weekend.
Given that not much separates the two sides in the table, we expect it to be a closely-contested game, but ultimately the Heed will emerge with an important three points, steering themselves clear of the relegation zone.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Dominic Lund
