In a clash that could set the tone for the second half of the League Two season, Cheltenham Town faces off against Notts County at Whaddon Road on November 10, 2025. With Cheltenham languishing in the relegation zone and struggling with just 14 points from 14 matches, they find themselves in dire need of three points. Meanwhile, Notts County is riding high in fifth place, showcasing a solid campaign with 24 points. The stakes couldn't be higher: a desperate push for survival against the lofty aspirations of promotion.
Predicted Lineups:
- Cheltenham: GK: Joe Day, DEF: Jonathan Tomkinson, Sam Sherring, James Wilson, Arkell Jude-Boyd; MID: Luke Young, Ben Stevenson, Isaac Hutchinson; FWD: Ethon Archer, Jake Bickerstaff, Josh Martin.
- Notts County: GK: Kelle Roos, DEF: Jacob Bedeau, Rod McDonald, Lewis Macari; MID: Jodi Jones, Matt Palmer, Scott Robertson, Nick Tsaroulla; FWD: Alassana Jatta, Tyrese Hall, Conor Grant.
Cheltenham's recent form paints a portrait of resilience amidst adversity. They've picked up crucial wins against Bradford and Walsall while also displaying surprising tenacity to hold Tottenham Hotspur U21 to a draw in the EFL Trophy. Yet beneath this façade lies an alarming disparity between their possession stats and actual offensive output. In their last league match against Walsall - despite controlling an eye-popping 67% possession - they managed only one shot on goal compared to Walsall's six. This glaring inefficiency emphasizes Cheltenham's ongoing struggle with conversion rates and has left them grappling with finishing issues all season.
On the other side of the pitch stands Notts County: a team brimming with attacking flair yet grappling with inconsistency in their recent outings. Their stalemate against Brackley Town showcased not only vulnerabilities but also resilience as they managed to equalize twice in dramatic fashion. Nonetheless, their lackluster performance against Manchester United U21 - suffering a rare defeat after dominating possession - raises questions about their composure under pressure. They need to return to winning ways if they're serious about chasing promotion.
Let's delve into the statistics that will likely dictate this encounter:
Cheltenham's defensive stats reveal weaknesses that can be exploited by Notts County's potent attack led by Alassana Jatta. Despite a relatively sound defensive record in terms of individual duels won-averaging over 40 per match-they still concede too many chances (evidenced by allowing nearly 30 total shots from Gillingham). Their defensive frailty appears compounded when you consider that they've conceded goals late in matches on multiple occasions this season.
Conversely, Notts County's forward line has been firing sporadically but effectively. Alassana Jatta is emerging as one of League Two's standout attackers-netting six goals so far-and his chemistry with Conor Grant adds depth and unpredictability to their play style. Notably averaging five shots per match throughout October shows that Notts are able to generate opportunities consistently.
However, it isn't just Cheltenham's leaky defense that plays into this matchup; it's their pronounced difficulty converting possession into tangible scoring chances that's crippling them week after week. For instance, they've been averaging just two shots on target across recent fixtures-a trend Notts County will look to exploit mercilessly on Saturday.
The key tactical battle could unfold through midfield dynamics where Cheltenham's Luke Young must impose himself more effectively than he did against Gillingham-who outgunned him both physically and tactically during their matchup earlier this month. If he can reclaim control over midfield alongside Ben Stevenson while shielding his backline from the likes of Matt Palmer and Jodi Jones-he may stem some of Notts' fluid attacks.
Ultimately though? It'll come down to firepower-or lack thereof-for Cheltenham at home against what should be an invigorated Notts side looking for redemption after a disappointing outing last week. As it stands now:
- Expect Cheltenham to potentially dominate possession once more.
- But expect Notts' clinical finishing (with better quality forwards) to translate any opportunity into goals.
All signs point toward a potential defeat for Cheltenham unless they can find unexpected breakthroughs within their ranks or break through the invisible wall keeping them mired at rock bottom.
As for betting odds heading into this clash? Given current trajectories:
- Look for Cheltenham around +250 as underdogs due to their troubling form.
- Conversely expect heavy favor towards Notts County at -120 considering form and positioning.
In conclusion? The probability strongly favors Notts County walking away with three vital points-their offensive prowess should ultimately punch above their weight while lifting them closer toward automatic promotion spots as we approach mid-season checkpoints!