It’s a Boxing day preview and it’s jam-packed with league fixtures.
Rochdale travels away to Blackpool, which would have been one for the fans on Boxing Day. However, Rochdale are not in the best form of late after a 4-1 defeat to Gillingham last weekend. Blackpool are currently unbeaten in the last five matches, whereas Rochdale’s form is very up and down. There is a major cause for concern for Brian Barry-Murphy’s men, with the fans now starting to get on their teams back; the need for results over the Christmas period is a high priority. We don’t really know what we are going to get out of this Rochdale side at the minute, it can swing either way. A win would see them climb the table and distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Accrington Stanley just sits outside the play-off places and face a Doncaster side that hasn’t lost in the last four matches and currently sit in 4th. Accrington’s last five matches is a miss-mash of results. A win for John Coleman’s man could see them push into the playoffs, and with this crazy Christmas schedule, the chance to get into the playoffs going into the new year is something that they can simply not give up.
If Wigan Athletic are to claw themselves out of the relegation zone, a win over Shrewsbury town is vital. Victory could see them leap frog Shrewsbury in the bottom 4 places. It’s too early to talk about six-pointer games, but players and the fans will know that this game is one of those big matches that anything less than a win is going to be a disappointment.
Inconsistent Bolton Wanderers travel to third-placed Carlisle United, in a game that Ian Evatt surely must win to build any type of form going into a new year. Questions are starting to be asked about Evatt’s management at Bolton, their recent results are very up and down and it’s something that wasn’t to be expected in pre-season.
Mid-table Oldham Athletic entertain an – one win in the last five – Harrogate Town side. With Harry Kewell finally getting this Oldham team motoring, another win would push Oldham towards the play-off places and we may start to see a glimmer of success this season.
Salford City host Walsall in a match where it is 7th vs 8th and the winner will secure a play-off place going into the new year. Walsall currently have four victories on the trot and are unbeaten in the last five. Whereas Salford City are currently unbeaten at home. This game seems to have a draw written all over it but that will not be the best result for both sides.
in a Boxing Day derby, Altrincham host neighbours Stockport County in a match that will whet any fans appetite. Altrincham are currently two points ahead of Stockport, however, Stockport have four games in hand over the rest of the teams above them. Altrincham are flying in the National League North finally and have won their last three matches on the trot. Stockport will be looking to avenge their last defeat to Notts County, as they will want to be taking full advantage of the four games they have in hand above the rest of the league.
Curzon Ashton will be looking to get back to winning ways to out of form Southport side, as they travel to the west coast. Steve Cunningham men have seen a steady decline in results over the past couple of months, but a couple of victories will soon see them staff flying back up the table.
