Accrington – it doesn’t quite have the same appeal you’ll get in places like Monaco, New York, the Bahamas or even Swindon. But here we are, facing the idea of a trip up to the Lancashire town as the League Two campaign hurtles ever closer to its end for another year. If you aren’t yet tempted, however, there’s at least one reason to have you jumping in your car this weekend.
You see, it could all be done and dusted from a Boro’ perspective this weekend. With a full six points between us and our often narky neighbours from Bedfordshire, three more points will make sure of a playoff place that has been hard earned since 2015 became more than a twinkle in the eye of whichever omnipotent presence or time lord that you put down in the 2011 census.
We bounce into this one off the back of three straight victories and with a remarkably settled feel to the squad. That’s no mean feat, given most of the lads have at one point or another spent some time in the physio room this term. Accrington, meanwhile, are unbeaten in four games as we speak and could rise as high as 14th position if they can nab the three points against us.
It’s a tough one to call. Accy at home are unremarkable; not that shabby with nine wins in 21 at the Crown Ground, even if it’s not exactly earth-shattering. It’s the defence that letting them down this season; only three teams are worse on their own turf with just four clean sheets and 29 goals conceded over the course of the season. So you’d expect a goal or two to feature here…
The bookies see our recent run of form as a good reason to make us marginal “favourites”, with 7/5 the best price we’ve seen offered. A home win is 9/4 and a draw is 13/5, if you’d prefer. There have been over 2.5 goals in games at the Crown Ground more often than not, meaning 19/20 might be worth a look – so too the Both Teams To Score market (31/40, Bet Victor).
If you’re curious about what the other runners and riders are up to this weekend, Plymouth go to Carlisle, while Luton are at home to struggling Hartlepool and Newport take on the Daggers at home. If the worst happens, we’ll only fall to seventh and still have a three point cushion. But why are we talking about the worst case scenario? Do we have anything to fear at Accy?
Our record at the Crown Ground isn’t wonderful. We’ve been there five times, four times in regular league outings and come away having lost three of them. But if you think you’re only as good as your last visit or whatever, then our playoff semi-final win back in 2011 could just put us in the good position that we’re after. But, for now, it’s just a question of waiting and seeing.
Accrington Stanley? Who are they? Let their BoroGuide club profile help you out…
