Score predictions - Northampton home

For the 3rd game in a row, we face our biggest game of the season. And while visitors Northampton are safely ensconced in mid-table, with their speedo lines ready waxed, travel money purchased, and a suitcase full of McVities dark chocolate digestives just in case (or is that just me?), we have our 3rd swing at extending our season by another 3 weeks. Martin Devaney takes temporary charge for the 3rd (or is it 4th) time, aiming to win his first competitive game. His reds side are heavy favourites at 4/9 to secure a play-off berth with a win, with the Cobblers a hefty 6/1 to find the Reds in a charitable mood once again.


Northampton have had a decent first season back in league 1, though it's certainly their home form which has seen them bob around mid-table for the majority of the campaign, with the odd foray towards to top 6 earlier on. On their travels, they've taken just 21 points from 22 games. Which is only the 17th best away record in the division. The 7 sides worse than them away from home, are 7 of the 8 worst sides in the division (Burton the exception). They've won just 1 of their last 9 away from home with 6 defeats, including the last 3 in a row. During that run, they've also shipped 4 goals at Portsmouth and Orient, and 5 at Peterborough. Since it becoming apparent that they were going to be a league 1 team again next season, the defeats they've suffered on the road have been largely comfortable. Their overall form is bolstered by their work at Sixfields, with 3 straight home wins at the back end of March and early April, including a 1-0 triumph over Derby County.


There isn't much history between Barnsley and Northampton. Of the previous 11 encounters at Oakwell, the Reds have won 5, drawn 2 and lost 4. We've lost the only 2 meetings this century by 2-1 (though one was in extra time), and haven't won any of the last 4 meetings at Oakwell. In fact, our last victory over the Cobblers on home soil came in August 1975; the reds recorded a 3-1 victory in the old 4th division, courtesy of a brace from Mick Butler, and a strike by @John Peachy.


Veteran striker, Sam Hoskins leads the scoring charts for the Cobblers with 15 goals, though only 2 of those have come since the turn of the year. He's in his 9th season with Northampton, and has set his second best seasonal goal tally, after netting 23 in League 2 last year. Their club captain signed another new deal last summer, potentially keeping him there until 2026. 21 year old midfielder Kieron Bowie has netted 9 times for the Cobblers this campaign too, making the Fulham loanee another man to keep an eye on. Mitch Pinnock is a forward too who likes to get himself involved; he's contributed 7 goals and 7 assists this season, forging a formidable partnership with Hoskins.


Referee Ollie Yates has dished out 161 yellows and 7 reds in 37 games this season. As mentioned elsewhere, he took charge of our 3-1 away win vs Reading in December, a game notable for the Reds coming from behind to win for the first time since the great fire of London. We've done it about 6 more times since then like. His yellow cards that day included 5 for Reds players, and a penalty converted by Herbie Kane. His 2 Northampton games this season have seen them draw 2-2 at home to Lincoln, all the way back in August, and a 2-0 away defeat last month at Wycombe.


I honestly don't know how to predict this game. I don't know what side Martin Devaney will pick, what the style or shape will be, or whether the players will be fired up, or going through the motions. The optimist in me says that we'll try and take the game by the scruff of the neck, with a good crowd behind us, againsy a side with nothing to play for, and win at a canter. With that being said, I'm going for 3-1 Reds, with Cole, Phillips and Jalo getting the goals.

 

Feeling confident, 3-1

 

2-2 Drop out of the play offs thanks to a late equaliser, Oxford to sneak in

 

2-1. Squeaky but in

 

3-0 to us. Out the blocks like lightning with a rocket up our arses. 3 early goals and a declaration, followed by a complete non-event of a second half.

 

3-2 win for the SUPER REDS
Devaney hatrick in last 10 minutes shoots us into the playoffs coyr

 

0.2 Northampton

 

0-156 Northampton

 

Has to be a win 3-1

 

Just go for it, Reds! No tip-tappy, back passing negative play. Get an early goal to settle the nerves and then play with a bit of confidence.

 

dont`t think the boys can manage it so I think it will be a 0-2 loss

 

Colliers 4 Cobblers 0

 

I’m going 3-0.

We’ve mainly struggled recently when teams have had a go at us & played at a high intensity. I can’t imagine there’ll be any of that from a side with nothing to play for who are probably more concerned about jetting off on their holidays soon after.

I think it’ll be a fairly comfortable affair.

 

1-1 (Cadden)

 

We had a good start an hoping we have a good finish 5 -0, keep the faith, C,O,Y,R.

 

2-0 Reds

 

3-1 win . Handbrake off team and a fast start

 

7-0 , finish season how we started it

 

I'd love a win, by any method, but all I'm asking for is a sea-change in how we approach games; more drive, more positive football, more talking to each other. Get at 'em right from the off, show some passion for the shirt & the club.

2-0 tarn

 

The players owe a performance after the ***** they've served up recently. Be nice to see a positive approach where we go for it from the off. May work or it may not but at least have a go.