FC Halifax Town vs Maidenhead United: Prediction, team news, injuries

The Halifax Courier’s Tom Scargill gives the low down on Maidenhead United’s opponents this weekend.

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What form will FC Halifax Town go into Saturday's game in?

Mixed I'd say. It was decent before the 3-0 defeat at Southend last time out, having had a pretty fruitful festive period with wins against fellow promotion hopefuls Gateshead and Altrincham. They've won two, lost two, and drawn three in their last seven, so it's not bad but probably needs to be better if they're to break back into the top seven.

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What would be a successful season for the club?

I think it has to be a play off place. They won the FA Trophy last season and finished 11th, which was respectable, but they need to be pushing hard for a top-seven place. If they don't make it but come close, I reckon that would be acceptable, but I think players and staff feel they're good enough to finish in the play offs and would be really disappointed if they didn't.

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How do you think they'll approach Saturday's game both tactically and in terms of confidence?

Last time out was only the third time this season they'd conceded three goals in a game, so they'll be determined to get back to usual with a clean sheet - Town have the best defensive record in the division. I think they'll be expecting to have most of the ball so will be looking to be better in possession than they were at Southend. Too many times at The Shay they have struggled to break teams down so they need to play with more tempo and greater urgency on Saturday. But there's no reason they won't be confident of a win.

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What's their usual style of play, what can Maidenhead United expect to come up against?

It can vary from home to away games. Away from home they can tend to absorb pressure a bit more and try to hit teams on the break, whereas at home the onus can be on them more to dominate possession and create chances, which they can struggle with. They do try and play through the thirds and are patient in probing opponents. As you'd expect from the team with the league's best defence, they're very well organised and disciplined, with everyone in the team doing their bit off the ball.

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Who will be the Shaymen’s dangermen on Saturday and why?

Florent Hoti has had an injury disrupted first season, but the attacking midfielder has definitely got the ability and creativity to succeed at this level. He wasn't at his best at Southend but if he keeps his place he could be determined to do better. There are a lot of options for Chris Millington in attack with Jamie Cooke, Andrew Oluwabori, Max Wright, Aaron Cosgrave and new signing Adan George all vying for attacking roles. Oluwabori has had a mixed first season but looked a threat at Southend so could keep his place. He's really direct and loves running at people with pace and trickery.

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Injuries/suspensions?

No suspensions but there are injuries. Milli Alli, Jack Evans and Jo Cummings are definitely out. Max Wright, Tylor Golden and Ryan Galvin have been out recently but all three are in contention to return.

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Likely lineup and formation?

3-4-1-2 - Johnson; Senior, Keane, Stott; Golden, Hunter, Thomson-Sommers, Cappello; Hoti; Oluwabori, Cooke.