Score predictions - Stevenage home

After a frustrating result against Charlton, where despite having the lions share of the chances, we couldn't put the game to bed, we have a second chance at improving our home form this weekend with the visit of Stevenage. If you'd have told me at the start of the season that we'd have been odds against to beat Stevenage at home in December, I'd have been surprised. However, given Stevenage's successful return thus far to the third tier, it's not surprising that the bookies have the Boro only as narrow outsiders. The reds are still favourites at 5/4, but the visitors can be taken on at 11/5.


On their travels this season, Stevenage have been strong. They sit second in the away form table, behind Portsmouth, or third behind us when you factor in PPG. They've garnered 22 points from 11 away games, including 10 from the last 12 available. Their victories on the road tend to be against the teams lower down the division, with 2 of their defeats coming at the two promotion chasing sides (Blackpool and Bolton), the other being at Reading. Their draw at Bristol Rovers in October is their only stalemate on the road.


This is the first meeting between the two sides, therefore there's no head to head record. Someone will correct me if this isn't correct, however we've only faced a Steve Evans side on two occasions I believe. We always seemed to be in different divisions to Rotherham whilst he was there, and Leeds when he was there. We did the double over his Peterborough side during Daniel Stendel's time in the dugout, winning 4-0 away and 2-0 at home en route to promotion that season.


Referee Marc Edwards takes charge of a game at Oakwell for the second time this season. He received mostly favourable reviews in the ref watch table when the reds defeated Burton 2-0. He liked to let the game flow, and kept his cards in his pocket throughout the game, though was criticised for maybe letting too much go when the tackles started to fly. He's issued 61 yellows and 1 red in the other 12 games he's officiated this season. His last Stevenage game was a league 2 contest 3 years ago, when he awarded both sides a penalty in Boro's 1-1 draw away at Walsall.


Since a run of just 2 wins in 9 throughought September and October, Stevenage have now gone unbeaten in 9 to put them back in contention for the top 2, making this a very tricky tie on paper. They have on occasion had a tendency to drop a lead when in front, which is what I'm holding onto, as although we don't always come out on top, we do have it in us to rally if we do fall behind (see Reading and Lincoln). Last time out vs Exeter, they had the goal and man advantage at half time, but judging by the stats, tried to settle for a 1-0 win and were caught out. My father in law is going and I'm fairly certain he's still not seen us lose in about 8 games, the majority of which were in the season where we only won a handful of games. I'm going for another draw in this one, 1-1 with Cole opening the scoring for us.

 

A draw

 

Colliers 2 Boro 1

 

It will be interesting to see how we get on.....I'm hearing they play 4 4 2....with a no nonsense....ball knocked up quick to the front with a physical style applied.
I'll go for a frustrating draw

 

They have top scorer in the league in Reid too I think. Given our problems with the long ball against Derby they might call us problems.
I'd play Lopata but Collins won't.

 

A frustrating 0-1 loss

 

I see we've got the cheating barsteward ref from Burton away last season at Peterborough.

 

0-2 defeat.

 

Wish I could be there for the novelty value of a first time fixture but I’m in Spain for three weeks so will be ifollowing the Reds until the middle of January.

I expect us to win this anyway. 3-1 with Phillips notching again and Cole the other two.

 

We will WIN, a Xmas present for all the faithful, 5 - 0 keep the faith, C,O,Y,R

 

Barnsley 7-0 Stevenage.

 

3-1 to us.

 

I’m struggling with this one even if I leave the rose-tinted specs on. For that reason alone I’m going 1-1 draw.

 

2-0 One in each half

 

Barnsley 1-176 Stevenage

 

A team above us in the league at home. Best we can hope to get is a win but can’t see past another draw.

 

Draw at best. We’ve not beaten anyone higher than 12th this season and it’s not a coincidence. I’ll say 1-1.

 

3-3

Cole hat-trick but 2nd half struggles.

 

2-1 loss
Merry Christmas everyone

 

Tough match this one , would be delighted if we could win this one, realistically I would say a draw