Score predictions - Stevenage away

Our second ever visit to the Lamex this weekend, with the Reds being one of 4 teams with 2 wins from 2 on the road, and 4 unbeaten in all competitions away from Oakwell. Boro are currently 17th having taken 4 points from 4 games so far, but have had an extra week to prepare for this game as their last fixture was postponed. The bookies had both sides priced at 8/5 earlier in the week, suggesting they were struggling to apportion weight to one side over the other. The Reds have now gone clear favourites at 5/4, with Boro the outsiders at 2/1.

Stevenage have started the new season slowly, after threatening to be the leagues surprise package last season for so long. They were in the top 6 for a large chunk of the season, however ultimately, 2 wins in 12 to close out the season saw them finish 9th in the end. They won their opening game of the season at home to Shrewsbury, though have not since tasted victory since. The Boro have only scored twice so far this season, both from the penalty spot, and if you include the back end of last season, 4 of their last 5 goals have either been a penalty or an own goal. Whilst they have only won 3 of their last 8 home games in League 1, they did beat the Reds in that time.

As mentioned already, there's little head to head history between the two sides. Jamie Reid and Dan Butler scored after an Adam Phillips first half strike to give Stevenage the win in the only meeting at the Lamex. Prior to that, the Reds won the Oakwell meeting in similar fashion with John McAtee and Herbie Kane cancelling out a Luther Wildin opener.

As well as there being little head to head history between the two sides, as far as I can see, neither side has any former players in each other's ranks either.

Its hard to see Darrell making many changes from the side which, despite the scoreline, beat Bristol Rovers reasonably comfortably last weekend. Adam Phillips' substitution appears to have been precautionary, and Donovan Pines' was tactical. If anything, it might be the big American who makes way after a below par performance last week, with Corey O'Keeffe being preferred on the left and Earl in the back 3 in the second half. Though as Stevenage are described as being more direct, having the extra height of Pines in the back 3 and Earl on the left might be preferred. Kyren Lofthouse was only a substitute again, and impressed when he came on, again, though may get the nod if Cotter's injury is more serious than it seemed at the time. With how well Cosgrove battled last week, and how well he linked up particularly with Davis Keillor-Dunn, it's hard to see a change in attack too, even if Watters is fit.
Edit: forgot to take Lofthouse out of the lineup for O'Keeffe.



Stevenage will continue to miss last seasons top scorer, Jamie Reid, who has been sidelined since returning from international duty back in June. They could call upon Luke Young, a deadline day transfer from Bradford who had also been linked with the Reds, though his fitness levels aren't confirmed having been frozen out at Valley Parade. Centre half Dan Sweeney went off injured during Boro's defeat against Lincoln and will be missing for our visit according to reports. Kane Smith, who also went off injured against Lincoln, is also a doubt. In his pre-match press conference, Alex Revell name checked both Charlie Goode and Nathan Thompson, suggesting they both could come into the back line.



Jacob Miles will referee this one. In his 5 games so far this season, he's issued 23 yellow cards, no reds, and awarded 2 penalties (both in the last 2 games). He's relatively new to the football league, and therefore hasn't ever taken charge of a Barnsley or Stevenage fixture before. His only red card in the football league was for Northampton's former loanee striker Kieron Bowie, in a 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient last October.

With 9 goals and 2 assists in his last 13 League 1 outings, it's hard to see past the 4/1 for Adam Phillips to score anytime. As the Reds have scored before 15 minutes in both of their away games this season, I'm backing us to be winning at half time and full time, with Phillips on the scoresheet at a shade under 11/1 (p/L = £4.70 for the season). I can't see past a Reds win in this one, and I'm going for 3-1 with Phillips, Cosgrove and Connell getting the goals.

 

3-1 Barnsley, Dunn Philips Earl

 

An entertaining 2-2 draw to take our first points there.

 

0-4
DKD, Phillips (2) and Robbo.

Crowd: 5,287

Weather: Fair to middlin'.

Lotto: 3, 11, 13, 22, 26, 34. Bonus ball 2

 

0-3 Reds.

 

What's going to win the St Ledger?

 

Stevenage 1 Colliers 3

 

Think we're starting to pick up some form, while still a long way from firing on all cylinders. Expecting a tight game, going for 2-1 to us. Unless of course everyone's got their minds on Mould Trafford, in which case we'll lose 2-0.

 

0-2

 

3-1 win. DKD, Phillips and a set piece goal from one of our centre halves.

 

The exciting thing for me is that we're seemingly playing reasonably well, and yet it's clear there's still room for improvement. I don't see this side tailing off like it did last year, more the year before, when we went on a run from January to April.

 

I think we're playing at around 60% of potential right now, no more. However, I have absolutely no doubt that we'll get there pretty soon. Never really felt that last season.

 

2-1 to Barnsley, Phillips and Connell (one of them screamers has got to in sometime).

 

2-1 Reds (DKD and Connell)

 

3-0 to Barnsley. At the risk of sounding like an omen of doom I think the reds will at least win this.

 

Another for 3-1 to the reds. I always fancy us away from home in this division, unless we’re playing Derby of course!

 

1-1 Cosgrove

 

Nil three.

 

1-4

Goals Galore!
4 different scorers for the reds.
Philips
Earl
Cotter
Humphrys

 

Stevenage 2 Barnsley 3

DKD 94th minute winner