Preview: Harrogate Town vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides operating near the bottom of the League Two table will face off on Saturday when Harrogate Town play host to Colchester United.

The U's, who sit in 21st position, are currently four points above the relegation zone, while the visitors are two points better off in 19th place.

Match preview

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Harrogate enjoyed a run of three consecutive league victories before they were beaten 1-0 by Bradford City at the end of December.

Simon Weaver's side were unable to return to winning ways in their first match of the new year, but they may have been content with picking up a point from an entertaining 3-3 draw against Hartlepool.

Alex Pattison gave Harrogate an early lead in the fourth minute, before Hartlepool turned the game on its hand courtesy of goals from Josh Umerah and Mohamad Sylla.

After Sam Folarin restored parity, Mark Shelton scored in the 63rd minute to move back in front, but their slender advantage only lasted 10 minutes as George Thomson equalised to round off an end-to-end game, which represented the fourth time that Harrogate have scored three goals or more in their last five league matches.

While they had to settle for a point in their away game last weekend, Harrogate have the chance to claim a third consecutive home victory on Saturday.

Matt Bloomfield's side will be hoping to prevent Harrogate from claiming another home victory, as the visitors target a win that would move them level on points with their opponents.

The U's have recently moved out of the bottom three after recording two victories in their last three matches.

They followed a 1-0 win over Gillingham with a 2-1 defeat against Wimbledon, but they managed to claim all three points in their first match of 2023.

A first-half strike from Luke Hannant guided Colchester to a narrow 1-0 victory over Swindon Town, and as a result, they will have the opportunity to claim consecutive league victories for the first time this season.

Colchester may have lost 10 of their 12 away games in League Two, but they would have taken confidence from their win over Gillingham in their most recent away match, which represented the first time that they had won a league game on their travels this season.

Team News

Weaver is unable to call upon a number of players, including Will Smith, Stephen Dooley, Matty Dale and Kyle Ferguson.

Joe Mattock and Josh Coley are both doubts due to heel and groin injuries respectively, while illness could prevent Jaheim Headley and Sam Folarin from featuring.

In positive news, Danny Grant and Josh Falkingham have recently returned to training, and the latter could be included in the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Matty Longstaff has returned to his parent club Newcastle United after suffering a serious knee injury, while Alan Judge is also a long-term absentee.

Fiacre Kelleher and Arthur Read have signed permanent deals from Bradford and Stevenage respectively, and while the former may have to settle for a place on the bench, Read could be included in the starting lineup.

Connor Wood could also be given his debut for the club after joining on loan from fellow League Two side Leyton Orient.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Jameson; Ramsay, Burrell, Mattock, Headley; Austerfield, Pattison, Muldoon, Thomson, Folarin; Armstrong

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

O'Hara; Chambers, Smith, Dallison-Lisbon; Tchamadeu, Skuse, Read, Wood; Hannant, Chilvers, Tovide

We say: Harrogate Town 1-1 Colchester United

With the two sides only separated by three points, we think that Saturday's game will be a close-fought contest, which could result in the spoils being shared.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.