Preview: Maidstone United vs. Stevenage - prediction, team news, lineups

Maidstone have had to win five games to advance to this stage of the competition, while Stevenage have beaten Tranmere Rovers and Port Vale to secure their spot in round three.

Match preview

Maidstone journey in this season's FA Cup started in the middle of September with a 4-1 victory over Steyning Town, before overcoming Winchester City and Torquay United to reach the first round of the competition.

The Stones were 2-0 winners over Chesham United at the start of November, which set up a second-round contest with Barrow, and they recorded a 2-1 victory to progress to the third round, where they will face comfortably their biggest test in this season's competition.

George Elokobi's side were relegated from the National League last season, but they are up in fourth position in the National League South table, with the team in the mix for a return to the fifth tier for the 2023-24 campaign.

Maidstone will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 victory over Tonbridge Angels on New Year's Day, which proved to be their first success since overcoming Truro City on December 5.

The Kent outfit have been away in four of their five FA Cup games this season, but their supporters helped them over the line against Barrow last time out, and it is set to be another fascinating clash this weekend.

Stevenage, meanwhile, beat Tranmere 4-3 in the first round of this season's FA Cup to set up a second-round contest with Port Vale, and the two teams initially played out a 1-1 draw.

A replay was therefore required to determine which side would advance, and Stevenage managed to win 4-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw, with the Hertfordshire outfit incredibly making it 2-2 in the 96th minute and then 3-3 in the 119th minute, with Port Vale so close to winning in normal and indeed extra-time.

Steve Evans's side were promoted from League Two last season, and they have also been in strong form in League One this term, picking up 43 points from 25 matches to sit seventh in the table.

Stevenage lost two of their three matches over the festive period, though, suffering 2-1 defeats to Barnsley and Portsmouth either side of a home success against Northampton Town.

The FA Cup is down their list of priorities this season, but the third-tier side will be looking to avoid what would be a shock in the tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Maidstone United FA Cup form:

Maidstone United form (all competitions):

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Stevenage FA Cup form:

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Stevenage form (all competitions):

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Team News

Maidstone's leading goalscorer this term is Levi Amantchi with 14, including one goal in the FA Cup, and the 23-year-old is set to feature for the home side on Saturday.

There are not expected to be any major surprises when it comes to the Maidstone XI, with Solomon Smith, who has four goals this term, also set to start.

Gavin Hoyte should feature at right-back, while Sam Corne is also set to retain his position in midfield.

Jamie Reid has been comfortably Stevenage's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on 18 occasions, and he is set to again feature in the final third of the field for the visitors.

Head coach Evans could name the same side that started against Port Vale in the second-round replay, with Jordan Roberts, who has six goals this term, also likely to be in the XI.

Aaron Pressley was an unused substitute against Portsmouth in the league last time out, but he is likely to come into the starting side for the clash with the National League South outfit.

Maidstone United possible starting lineup:

Lucas; Hoyte, Fowler, Bone, Kyprianou, Appiah; Sole, Gurung, Corne; Smith, Amatchi

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Pressley, Vancooten, Piergianni; James-Wildin, Neal, Thompson, Butler; MacDonald; Reid, Roberts

We say: Maidstone United 1-2 Stevenage

Maidstone's form in this season's FA Cup has been excellent, but this will be their biggest test of the campaign, and although we are predicting a close match, Stevenage should be able to navigate their way into the fourth round of the competition.

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