Newport County FC

vs

Barnet

Preview

Newport County

• Newport County are winless in 10 home games in League Two (D2, L8).
• The hosts are anchored at the bottom of the table on 13 points from 21 games.
• Christian Fuchs took over the Newport County team recently and has set about instituting a return to basics approach.
• His side have been compact, patient in possession and selective in their pressing.
• Newport have scored just 0.90 at home this season.

Barnet

• Barnet have lost just two of their 10 away games in League Two this season (W4, D4).
• Barnet have won just once in their last five (D2, L2) and head to Newport County having suffered consecutive defeats to Chesterfield and Salford City.
• Barnet have conceded just 1.00 goals per away game in League Two this term.
• Dean Brennan’s men are currently 13th in the standings on 28 points from 21 games.

Head-to-Head

Key Players

• Mark Shelton leads the line and is Barnet’s top scorer in League Two this year with 5 goals in 18 games.
• County’s leading marksman is midfielder Courtney Baker-Richardson with three in 17 games.
• He often plays up front in a struggling attack that has averaged just 0.90 goals at home this season.
• Dean Brennan’s 3-4-2-1 system turns into a 3-2-5 when in possession, with wing-backs pushing forward, fast players on the overlap and rapid counter attacks.

Betting Insights

• Newport County are the biggest underdogs for this game with odds of 5.0.
• Both Teams to Score is priced at 1.73 and is a suggested play for Friday’s game.
• It might pay to take Barnet to nick it in what should be a close match.

Prediction

• This should be a fascinating matchup with a clear contrast in styles, with a Barnet side that presses and overwhelms on the flanks taking on a Newport County side that sit back and look to block.
• It will come down to the transitions and set pieces.
• Barnet look the safer pick given their away form and defensive numbers, but Newport’s new solidity could make it tight.