High-flying League Two outfit Stevenage will be bidding to book their spot in the second round of the FA Cup when they travel to National League strugglers Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently second in League Two, three points behind leaders Leyton Orient, while Gateshead occupy 23rd position in the National League, picking up just 13 points from the first 17 games.
Match preview
Gateshead won the National League North last season to earn promotion to the National League, but they have found it difficult to compete in the fifth tier of English football in 2022-23.
Indeed, a record of two wins, seven draws and eight defeats from their 17 matches has left them in 23rd position in the table, level on points (13) with Torquay United at the bottom.
Mike Williamson's side have not been victorious in the National League since overcoming Maidenhead United at the end of September, while they will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 loss to Chesterfield on Tuesday.
However, Gateshead managed to overcome Altrincham in the last round of the FA Cup, recording a 2-1 victory at home after the two teams had played out a 2-2 draw on October 15.
The Tynesiders will know that they are up against it this weekend versus one of the best sides in the league above them, but Williamson's team will be eyeing a shock in the first round of the FA Cup.
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Stevenage, as mentioned, have been impressive in League Two this season, winning 11, drawing three and losing three of their 17 matches to collect 36 points, which has left them in second spot in the table.
The Boro finished 21st in League Two last season, only just avoiding relegation to the National League, but they now have their eyes on a position in League One for the 2023-24 campaign.
Steve Evans's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Colchester United in the league last Saturday, while they have only lost once in all competitions since the middle of September.
Saturday's affair will be the team's first FA Cup fixture since December 2021, when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Yeovil Town.
Stevenage will view League Two as their priority this season, but they have won the FA Trophy on two previous occasions and will be keen to avoid what would be a surprise elimination in Gateshead.
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Adam Campbell scored a brace for Gateshead in their win over Altrincham in the last round, and the forward will again be in the starting XI on Saturday afternoon.
Head coach Williamson will make changes to the side that started against Chesterfield in the league on Tuesday, with Dan Langley set to feature between the sticks.
However, Campbell is again set to be joined in the final third by Kamil Conteh, while Ethan Pye is fit to start despite picking up an injury in the last round of the competition.
As for Stevenage, head coach Evans will shuffle his pack from the league clash with Colchester last time out.
The League Two side's head coach will certainly have one eye on the clash with Charlton Athletic next week, so there will be a number of alterations to the XI here.
Aaron Chapman is set to be given the nod between the sticks, while Jamie Reid, Jake Taylor, Saxon Earley, Dean Campbell and Michael Bostwick are all set for starting roles in the FA Cup fixture.
However, Danny Rose, who has scored four times this season, should keep hold of his spot at the tip of the attack.
Gateshead possible starting lineup:
Langley; Magnay, Tinkler, Daley, Pye; Bailey, Gallacher, Olley, Ward; Conteh, Campbell
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Earley, Piergianni, Vancooten, Sweeney, James-Wildin; Taylor, Bostwick, Campbell; Reid, Rose
We say: Gateshead 0-2 Stevenage
Stevenage head coach Evans is set to make a number of changes to his starting XI for this match, but we are still expecting the visitors to be too strong, backing them to advance to the second round of the competition courtesy of a 2-0 victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
