Preview: Yeovil Town vs. Scunthorpe United - prediction, team news, lineups

While the Glovers have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks, the visiting side are currently on a run of six consecutive defeats and will be desperate to stop the rot.

Match preview

Yeovil Town continue to pull clear of the relegation zone as they secured a 1-0 victory over Halifax Town when the sides squared off two Saturdays ago.

Despite going one man down with 15 minutes left to play, the home side turned in a solid defensive display to see out the victory thanks to a 43rd-minute penalty from English midfielder Matt Worthington.

The Glovers are now unbeaten in four consecutive matches — their longest run without defeat this season — claiming two wins and two draws since a 1-0 loss at Woking on November 1.

Yeovil Town are also unbeaten in seven of their last eight home matches across all competitions, with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aldershot Town on October 25 being the exception.

This fine run of form has seen Mark Cooper's men rise from the relegation zone as they now sit 19th in the National League standings after claiming 22 points from 21 matches.

On the other hand, Scunthorpe United were left empty handed once again as they were thrashed 4-1 by Notts County at Glanford Park last Saturday.

After falling behind to a 19th-minute opener from Caolan Lavery, Quevin Castro, Jim O'Brien and Macaulay Langstaff all scored in a 17-minute spell to turn the game on its head and hand the visitors a first-half lead before Cedwyn Scott completed the rout with an 85th-minute strike.

Michael Nelson's men have now lost each of their last six matches while picking up just one point from a possible 21 since a 3-1 victory over Gateshead back in October.

With 15 points from 22 matches, Scunthorpe United are currently rooted to the bottom of the National League standings, six points off Maidstone United just outside the relegation zone.

Having secured a 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town in August's league opener, the Irons will be looking to complete a league double over Cooper's men, although they are yet to secure a win away from home this season, picking up four draws and losing eight of their 12 matches.

Yeovil Town National League form:

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Scunthorpe United National League form:

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Team News

Yeovil Town will take to the pitch without last week's match-winner Worthington, who received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card in the 75th minute versus Halifax Town.

In his absence, former Reading midfielder Lawson D'Ath should come into the XI, teaming up with Morgan Williams and 27-year-old Joshua Staunton at the centre of the park.

Cooper will also be unable to call upon the services of 25-year-old forward Anthony Georgiou, who recently completed a loan move to League Two outfit Leyton Orient.

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe United will be boosted by the return of Joe Nuttall, who has nine goals to his name this season, after the former Blackburn Rovers forward missed the game against Notts County through suspension.

Lavery appears to have found his scoring boots once again and the former Sheffield United man, who has now netted in successive league games for the first time this season, should spearhead the attack once again.

Off the back of a disappointing defeat against the Magpies, we expect Nelson to ring the changes at the defensive end of the pitch, with Irish full-back Mason O'Malley pushing for a place in the starting XI.

Yeovil Town possible starting lineup:

Smith; Johnson, Bevan, Hunt, Staunton, Reckford; Williams, Andrews, D'Ath; Fisher, Oluwabori

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:

Dewhurst; O'Malley, Boyce, Ogle; Rowe, Taft, Apter, Beestin; Pugh, Lavery, Carver

We say: Yeovil Town 2-0 Scunthorpe United

Yeovil Town head into the weekend a firm favourite to come away with the desired results as they take on a floundering Scunthorpe side who have picked up just one point from the last 21 available.

Cooper's side have won their last two home matches and we predict that they will maintain this fine run and heap more misery on the visitors.

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