MX23RW : Monday, October 3 01:08:33| >> :600:817482:817482:
[monks data]
May 7, 2022 at 3pm UK at Wetherby Road
Harrogate
0 - 2
Sutton
FT(HT: 0-1)
Eastmond (8'), Olaofe (78')
Kizzi (63')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Harrogate Town and Sutton United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sutton United must win on the final day this Saturday and hope that Swindon Town or Port Vale drop points to secure the last playoff spot in League Two.

Harrogate Town welcome Sutton to the CNG Stadium this weekend, with the hosts set for a mid-table finish, currently sitting 17th but they could climb to 14th with a win.


Match preview

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver looks dejected after the match on January 9, 2022© Reuters

The hosts enter this match on the back of recording consecutive wins for the first time since October, most recently securing an impressive 3-1 win over title-chasing Forest Green Rovers.

Goals from Jack Muldoon, Jack Diamond and Lloyd Kerry gave the Sulphurites all three points in Gloucestershire, denting the home side's chance of being crowned League Two champions, and also suggesting that Harrogate are keen to end the season strongly.

Simon Weaver's side have conceded too many goals this season, seeing 73 strikes fly past them in 45 matches, which has been their downfall, as their scoring record is among the same as teams in the automatic promotion spots.

Those stats also suggest, though, that a flurry of goals can be expected this Saturday, with Harrogate having only been involved in three goalless draws this season.

Sutton United manager Matt Gray as Aldershot's assistant coach in December 2014  © Reuters

Sutton's inconsistencies in the last two weeks have meant that they were unable to lift themselves back into the playoff spots for the final day of the campaign, but they will still strongly believe that they can achieve a top-seven finish, as they currently sit just one point behind Swindon.

Matt Gray's side could also pounce on any slip up Port Vale may make this weekend, currently just two points behind the sixth-placed side, who face a tough trip to current leaders Exeter City.

The visitors enter this match on the back of a heavy 4-1 defeat against Bradford, in a match that Sutton struggled to ever find a rhythm in, allowing Bradford to record 11 shots on target.

The U's do not have a great record away from home, picking up 21 fewer points on their travels than they have done so at home this year, but they will fancy their chances at securing their eighth away win of the campaign this weekend, playing against a side considerably lower than them in the table.

Sutton have been awarded 10 penalties in this campaign, more than any team in the fourth tier, suggesting that they will look to gain access to Harrogate's 18-yard box on as many occasions as they can to draw some fouls.

This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season, with both of the previous encounters being won 1-0 by Sutton, most recently in the EFL Trophy quarter-final in January.

Harrogate Town League Two form:
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W

Sutton United League Two form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L


Team News

Harrogate centre-back Will Smith will continue to be absent from the home team's squad after he suffered a knee injury last month, which will rule him out on a long-term basis.

Weaver named an unchanged starting 11 last time out, and the hosts are expected to line up in the same way again after two positive results, meaning that Luke Armstrong will continue to lead the line.

Diamond has netted three goals in his last two games and will want to carry on that good form from his number 10 role, while Simon Power and Muldoon will create width from their wide positions.

Craig Eastmond has not featured for Sutton since being forced off with injury against Newport nearly three weeks ago, meaning that Harry Beautyman and Alistair Smith have partnered in the middle of the park.

Striker Richie Bennett was replaced last time out due to injury, and that could mean Omar Bugiel has a place in the side from the start this Saturday, leading the line alongside Donovan Wilson.

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Cracknell; Burrell, Sheron, McArdle, Thomson; Pattison, Austerfield; Muldoon, Diamond, Power; Armstrong

Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Milsom, John, Goodlife, Barden; Randall, Smith, Beautyman, Ajiboye; Bugiel, Wilson


SM words green background

We say: Harrogate Town 2-2 Sutton United

Harrogate will be full of confidence after back-to-back wins ahead of this encounter, and they will want to end the season in front of their own fans in entertaining fashion.

Sutton still have a chance of reaching the playoffs, giving them the motivation they need for this weekend, but Harrogate seem in the mood to dent another team's destiny, just as they did to Forest Green last weekend.





Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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How you voted: Harrogate vs Sutton

Harrogate Town
25.0%
Draw
25.0%
Sutton United
50.0%
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leyton Orient119111961328
2Northampton TownNorthampton1182123121126
3Stevenage118121410425
4Bradford CityBradford116321810821
5Salford City11632169721
6BarrowBarrow117041512321
7Mansfield TownMansfield116231812620
8Doncaster RoversDoncaster116231613320
9Carlisle UnitedCarlisle114611310318
10Swindon TownSwindon114521311217
11Tranmere RoversTranmere11515119216
12Crewe AlexandraCrewe114431211116
13Grimsby Town114431110116
14Sutton UnitedSutton114251212014
15AFC Wimbledon113351316-312
16Newport CountyNewport113261215-311
17Walsall112451111010
18Gillingham11245311-810
19Stockport CountyStockport112361216-49
20Harrogate TownHarrogate11227714-78
21Colchester UnitedColchester11137816-86
22Crawley TownCrawley111371019-96
23Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool11065819-116
24Rochdale11128718-115

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