Fleetwood Town vs Scunthorpe Predictions

It wasn’t easy to envisage Fleetwood, who’ve hardly flourished in the final third of late, going to Kingsmeadow and running out 0-3 winners, but that is exactly what the Cod Army did on Tuesday night. Joey Barton’s men have now lost just one of their last five matches and will likely come into this math with renewed confidence after that big mid-week win.

Fleetwood must be commended for their excellent effort on the road on Tuesday night. Joey Barton’s men have all too often struggled to impose themselves this season, but there was no evidence of a either a lack of confidence or a lack of creativity during the week. From start to finish in Norbiton, the Cod Army looked a threat when in possession, while they used the ball well to create an abundance of chances, clocking 3.21 expected goals for, and they showed that they’re not lacking in end-product.

Barton’s men are now unbeaten in four matches and are very much on the up after such an encouraging win. On their own patch, Fleetwood have been reasonably tough to beat this season. They’ve only lost three of their 14 home games, so being competitive is hardly an issue. If they can bottle Tuesday’s attacking zest and add it to their home performances, then the Cod Army will be even tougher to stop at Highbury.

Fleetwood won’t be only team to come into this match with renewed confidence. Scunthorpe are now unbeaten in five, four of which they’ve won, while they denied one of the chief promotion candidates last weekend when drawing 1-1 at home against Sunderland. Their performance on that occasion was very pleasing, as they created considerably more than the side that currently occupies third position.

Saturday’s hosts were impressive during the week, but they’ve not always been great from an attacking point of view at home, so Scunthorpe, who’re on their best run of form since the start of the campaign, will fancy themselves to gets something, and at the prices, it’s not too difficult to support them.

In their last couple of away matches, Scunthorpe have given very little away. They shipped no goals and just 0.86 expected goals against Peterborough, who’re not easy to keep quiet at ABAX Stadium, while they also conceded just 0.39 expected goals away against Walsall. In contrast, Fleetwood shipped 1.32 when recently drawing against Oxford at home, while they conceded 1.92 prior to that. Interestingly, the Cod Army have given more away than they’ve created on average at home this season.

Fleetwood may pick up where they left off during the week, but with Stuart McCall having finally restored Scunthorpe sturdiness over the last few weeks, it is the visitors who make most appeal. At the prices, backing ‘Scunthorpe Draw No Bet’ gets the nod.