Stevenage vs. Colchester – Stevenage facing last gasp attempt to stay in the division

Relegation looms large for two teams who are desperately in need of a win. In eighteenth and twenty-fourth, Colchester and Stevenage are struggling in every sense of the word. For Stevenage, this would seem like the last chance to get into gear: failure to grab points here would likely place them in an irredeemable position. In terms of tactics, the classic 4-4-2 of Stevenage might struggle against the more modern 4-2-3-1 of Colchester, with the attacking trio likely to find space in between the lines. With his team in desperate need of goals, however, Graham Westley might see a pair of strikers as the best way in which to come across goals.

Stevenage are in danger of being cut loose at the bottom of the division and not without reason. With only ten wins all season, and fewer draws, their capacity for losing matches has dropped them right down into bottom place. With two draws in their last three games, however, all hope was not lost, though the team followed these up with another loss. In desperate need of points, anything less than three might not be enough to rekindle Stevenage’s dwindling hope.

However, Stevenage might well count themselves as lucky in that they are coming up against the worst run of form in the division. With four straight defeats, Colchester have found their position becoming more and more precarious. With little to speak of in terms of recent points, they will be hoping that their good work earlier in the season has gifted them enough of a cushion. However, any manager will look at the last placed team as an opportunity to turn around an abysmal run of form.

Injuries

A pair of ex-Arsenal youngsters will form the bulk of Colchester’s concerns. After making a loan move permanent, Sanchez Watt has been nursing a calf injury in recent weeks and may not be available. Craig Eastmond will begin a suspension after picking up 10 yellow cards, though Brian Wilson will return following a suspension for the same offence.

Stevenage will be luck to enjoy a mostly full squad, though several players might be struggling for full fitness after what has been a long and tough season. What will be interesting will be whether the substitute goal keeper Steve Arnold will overcome the knee injury which has seen him unavailable in recent weeks, and whether this will again require assistant manager Jason Goodcliffe (a former centre half) to take his place on the bench.

Form & Lineups

Stevenage

P41 W10 D09 L22

LLDDL

Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Day; Obeng, Dembele, Ashton, Charles; Akins, Heslop, Smith, Freeman; Reid, Zoko.

Colchester

P41 W10 D13 L18

DLLLL

Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Walker; Olufemi, Okuonghae, Eatman, Dickson; Wright, Massey; Gilbey, Vose, Sears; Ibehre.

Prediction: Stevenage 1 - 2 Colchester

Colchester to arrest their terrible form against the league’s worst-placed team, hammering the final nail in the coffin for Stevenage.