Guiseley vs Fleetwood Town Predictions

National League North side Guiseley provided one of the first-round upsets when they scored four goals on route to victory against League Two’s Cambridge. Despite going into that match as 9/2 outsiders, the sixth-tier outfit came flying out the blocks and ran away with proceedings before a late flourish from the visitors gave the result a less one-sided look. After such a pleasing effort against Football League opponents, Guiseley will be hoping to deliver another upset when they welcome Fleetwood (and the BT Sport cameras) to Nethermoor Park on Monday evening.

It would be wrong to say that Guiseley absolutely dominated Cambridge in the previous round, while it would also be wrong to say that a total of four goals scored didn’t flatter the sixth-tier side. With an expected-goals for total of 1.4, Guiseley weren’t quite as dominant in the final third as the score-line suggested, though they certainly proved that they can get at opposition from a higher level. However, in conceding three goals and shipping 2.2 expected goals, they also showed that they’re not the toughest to break down.

In front of their own fans, with such a pleasing result behind them, the hosts will likely adopt the same forward-thinking approach against Fleetwood on Monday. Such tactics should allow them to do some damage, though by the same token, it would be a surprise if they managed to avoid coming under considerable pressure at the other end.

Not only will this be the second time this season that Guiseley have faced Football League opposition, but it will also be the second time that the Cod Army have taken on a side from the National League North and having already proved themselves capable of dominating such opponents, Fleetwood ought to go to Nethermoor Park feeling confident.

When Joey Barton’s men took on Alfreton Town, who lost by a goal to nil against Guiseley in the league back in August, in the last round, they made light work of both creating chances and scoring goals, as they eased to a 4-1 victory. That said, their opponents certainly didn’t go 90 minutes without getting involved. The Trawlermen gave up a goal, 12 shots and five shots on target on that occasion, so they’re certainly not expected to come through unscathed on Monday evening.

In the previous round, Guiseley and Fleetwood showed both attacking strength and defensive frailties. If we take both of those performances into consideration, then it’s easy to feel that ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ is a decent bet at the prices. The home advantage ought to once again help Guiseley to make their presence felt offensively, especially if they get on the front foot again, though the visitors have the quality to do plenty of damage, just as they did against Alfreton in the previous round.