Notts County with Slight Advantage
The second leg of the English League Two playoff semi-finals take place this week and on Friday night we will know the two teams in the final as Notts County meet Coventry City at Meadow Lane Stadium.
The first leg ended 1-1 at the Ricoh Arena and that result leaves Notts County in the driving seat with the home leg to come. Coventry City finished 2 points behind Notts County in League Two this season and started the tie as the underdogs.
The visitors must produce a good away performance if they are to progress to Wembley for the League Two playoff final.
Notts County come into this game feeling confident after the first leg but trends show they have failed to win any of their last three matches. In addition to the 1-1 draw at Coventry City, Notts County have been held at home by Luton Town and lost 2-1 at Grimsby Town.
However, it’s at home where Notts County excel and you must go back to the 23rd January to find the last time they lost a home match in all competitions. Since then, Notts County have played nine matches, including an FA Cup tie against Premier League opposition and won five and drawn four.
In fact, trends show Notts County have lost just three matches at home all season and have won seventeen games in all competitions, including a 2-1 win over Coventry City in the regular League Two season. Notts Country have conceded no more than 1 goal in any of their last nine home matches.
Coventry City were forced to rescue a draw from the first leg of this tie with a controversial late penalty. Matt Tootle looked to have played the ball but a foul was awarded and Marc McNulty took full advantage to score and keep the tie interesting.
The draw means Coventry City have won one of their last four League Two games but have lost just one of their last six. Despite drawing their last two games at home, Coventry City have proved to be a good side away from home and have tasted defeat just once in their last seven away matches.
Coventry City have won four of those seven away games and scored 6 goals in their final away match of the regular League Two season, defeating Cheltenham Town 6-1. A repeat of that performance would be most welcome in this game.
Team news and Notts County should be at full strength for this match, with no additional injuries or suspensions picked up from the first leg. That should mean a place in attack for Jon Stead and Jonathan Forte.
Coventry City will be without the suspended Tom Davies who picked up a three match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Football Association. That means a gap in central defence and Jordan Willis could come into the team for this crucial game.
This will be a nervous watch for both sets of fans and goal scoring chances could be limited. Notts County’s home record makes them the favourites to win the match and one goal could be enough to send them through to the League Two playoff final.
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