Following the confidence boosting late, late show at Chesterfield, Notts now have a great opportunity to assert themselves at the top end of the National League with 4 home games in the next 6 in the run up to Christmas, beginning with a home fixture against a team more famous for it's internet celebrity fan than its football.
All joking aside the Stones have adapted well to life in tier 5 so let's see how they compare with Notts prior to this Friday night fixture under the lights.
Wealdstone currently sit 4th in the league with a 4 point advantage over Notts but having played 2 games more. Only Torquay have scored more goals so far this season but only Kings Lynn and Dover have conceded more.
Wealdstone record so far:
P 10 | W 5 | D 2 | L 3 | GF 19 | GA 20 | GD -1 | PTS 17 | PPG 1.70
Notts record so far:
P 8 | W 4 | D 1 | L 3 | GF 14 | GA 11 | GD +3 | PTS 13 | PPG 1.62
Goals by time segment for Wealdstone:
Goal time segments for Notts:
xG and aG for both clubs listed below based on last 6 games. Wealdstone have averaged a goal every 4.55 attempts and average 8.33 attempts per game meaning for this game their xG ratio will be 0.17.
xG Wealdstone = 0.18
aG Wealdstone = 1.83
Notts have averaged a goal every 4.81 attempts averaging 8.83 goal attempts per game which means they will also have a xG ration for this game of 0.18
xG Notts Co = 0.18
aG Notts Co = 1.83
Wealdstone have faced more goal attempts on average per game than Notts which would suggest that although they are a threat going forward they do also leave themselves open to more than their fair share of pressure.
Additionally of the 20 goals conceded this season over half of them have come in the final 30 minutes.
Lead status:
A comfortable win for Notts could see a leap up to 6th place, albeit only temporarily. Meanwhile a win for the Stones will see them up to 2nd place and firmly cementing themselves in the top 4.
Notts, like every week appear to be firm favourites with the bookies with 4/7 looking the best you will get for the win. You are looking at 9/2 for the Wealdstone win.
These odds convert to Notts having a 65% chance of winning and Wealdstone a 17% chance of victory.
Notts will be looking to assert themselves from the off but with Wealdstone having one of the leagues most threatening teams the Notts defence will have to be on their game, especially considering Wealdstone will play a high pressing wing back formation, one that has often been Notts' downfall already this season.
There is a fitness doubt over Callum Roberts who is struggling with a groin injury and Alex Lacey who is suffering with a painful heel. That said with Rodrigues now finding his feet and Wootton finding his scoring boots again you would hope the Magpies have enough in their locker to send Wealdstone packing back down the M1.
COYP!
Richard
Note:
Betting odds are only used as another means to assess current form and sporting industry expectations of possible result. Notts County Stats do not endorse any form of gambling or betting industry associated businesses.