Ah, April Fool’s Day. To quote Shania’s brother (Really? Ed.), Mark Twain: The day upon which Barnet fans are reminded of what they are on the other 364. Back to the Lamex, then, for the latest chapter in the unfolding drama that’s the League Two promotion race. We may not have got everything we had wanted from our trip up to Cambridge last weekend, but a point and a clean sheet is better than nowt. In the grand scheme of things, it could make a difference. Let’s not get ahead of matters, though. First thing’s first – the Bees.
Our flippered friends from the arse end of the A1 come to us after a rot-stopping comeback win at home to Cheltenham. For them, it was a first win since Valentine’s Day and only a second in 14 League Two outings. Not that it stops them coming to our gaff with aspirations of throwing a spanner in our works, you understand. In John Akinde, the Bees have one of the league’s top marksmen – currently three up on our own Matt Godden. If you’re reading Matty, why not use this fixture to make up ground on Akinde. Ah, g’wan. G’wan, g’wan, g’wan…
Stevenage v Barnet: The Heebie Jee-Bees
So, two formidable strikers go head-to-head on our own turf this weekend. How are those odds on a snore bore draw looking? No, that’d be facetious of us. The current numbers from soccerstats.com all but suggest otherwise. Boro’ have let in at least one goal in 79% of our fixtures indoors this term, although that figure has fallen thanks to two successive home clean sheets. As for Barnet, their last shutout was Valentine’s Day. Mind you, they’ve returned from nearly nine out of 10 away days having found the back of the net.
Goals are to be expected (surely) for another reason too, and that’s because of what our previous encounters teach us. Apart from our rather uninspiring stalemate last season, this is a fixture that has seen more than 2.5 goals as far back as the Bees’ Conference title-winning campaign in 2004-5. In the current circumstances, it’s hard to imagine Boro’ being on the wrong end of the result in this one. And, with Blackpool travelling to Luton, what a chance we have to consolidate 4th place. We’ve come so far in 2017. It’d be rude not to keep going.
Referee Record:
Mark Heywood – P7 W4 D1 L2 F9 A6; last seen: Mansfield Town (A), 29/10/2016
Head-To-Head:
vs Barnet – P18 W7 D2 L9 F27 A33; last result: Boro’ won 2-1 (A), 17/12/2016
So, what are the Football Predictions from KickOff for Stevenage v Barnet?
Stevenage v Barnet: FIFA 17 Verdict
No FIFA 17 Verdict this week. It *should* return next week, however. Just assume we won. Again.
BoroGuide’s Barnet club profile – sweet dreams ain’t made of Bees…