Salford Cityvs.Sutton

With the visitors in the relegation zone, and the hosts sitting just four places above them there is plenty on the line in this one.

Match preview

It has been a tough season for Salford, with the club a long way from the seventh place that they finished last season, in a campaign that almost saw them promoted.

The response to losing in the playoffs has been one to forget for the Ammies, having spent the majority of the season battling in the bottom half of the table.

While recent results have allowed Salford to push away from the relegation zone, with a 14-point gap now existing, fans will still want to see signs that next season will be a return to business as usual from the Manchester-based club.

Karl Robinson's men head into this fixture on the back of three games without a loss, including consecutive wins in their most recent performances, which has put them in a position where finishing in the top half is a distinct possibility.

A brace from Conor McAleny proved to be enough for Salford as they beat Notts County 2-1 last weekend, and with another win having the potential of moving the Ammies as high as 15th, there should be no shortage of belief in the squad.

Much like their opponents, the visitors have also been stringing together some impressive performances as of late, having won three of their previous six League Two fixtures.

With a draw in the mix of that run, it has been a much-needed period of consistency for Sutton considering the fact they are currently occupying one of the two relegation places.

The Amber and Chocolates are now just a single point behind Colchester United, showcasing just how much another victory could mean for the club on Friday.

Steve Morison's men were dominant against Accrington Stanley in their most recent outing, with goals from Harry Smith, Omar Sowumni and Sashiel Adom-Malaki securing a 3-1 win on the day.

Sutton will need an improved effort than their previous meeting with Salford though as they were defeated 2-0 on that day, a result they can ill-afford to repeat.

Salford City League Two form:

D

L

L

D

W

W

Sutton United League Two form:

W

L

D

L

W

W

Team News

Salford has a plethora of injuries to contend with at the moment with Ossama Ashley, Stevie Mallan, Kelly Nmai and Liam Shephard all on the sidelines for now.

However, the Ammies did welcome Declan John back into the matchday squad last weekend, and will also have Robinson back on the touchline after he served a one-match suspension for the win over Notts County.

The visitors will be without Lee Angol for the remainder of the season after he joined Woking on loan, but they will welcome back Jay Williams, Stephen Duke-McKenna and Deon Moore following the international break.

With no fresh injury concerns for Sutton to worry about, a similar lineup to the one that defeated Accrington last weekend could be the way forward here.

Salford City possible starting lineup:

Cairns; Vassell, Mariappa, Tilt; Chesters, Lund, Watt, Watson, McLennan; Morton, Hendry

Sutton United possible starting lineup:

Arnold; Jackson, Sowunmi, Kizzi, Hart; Lakin, Beautyman; Coley, Sanderson, Adom-Malaki; Smith

We say: Salford City 2-1 Sutton United

Sutton has been stringing some good results together lately, and they are in greater need of points in the fight for survival.

However, the hosts have been strong recently as well, and with Salford boasting the home advantage here they could just get over the line and take all three points.

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