Maidstone United vs Oldham Predictions

The world’s most famous cup competition returns to us this weekend as the FA Cup enters into it’s final round before the Premier League and Championship teams join proceedings. Hoping to join those names in the pot is a whole host of sides from the divisions below, and two of them meet at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Maidstone United from the National League welcome Oldham Athletic from League Two.

It has been a difficult start to the season for Maidstone United as they have struggled in the league and currently find themselves occupying the drop zone. One of the main issues for the hosts has been their inability to find the back of the net, and the 19 goals from 22 league games is one of the worst returns in the National League. Preparations for the cup have not exactly gone well either, as Maidstone warmed up for this meeting with a heavy 5-2 defeat to Havant & Waterlooville and a 3-1 defeat at home to Eastleigh.

Although things have not been quite as rough for Oldham this season, they are still not where they would like to be in League Two as we approach the halfway point of the season. Following their relegation last season, fans would have had expectations that they would be able to bounce back straight away and, although that still remains a possibility, Oldham will have to perform better in the second half of the season if they are to accomplish this aim. One thing they can take pride on, however, is their defensive capabilities as the 21 goals they have conceded in League Two is the joint sixth best record in the division.

The form of the hosts means that it is hard to make a case for them to get anything from this weekend’s fixture and a quick look at the odds shows that the bookmakers agree with this assessment. It should be a routine victory for the visitors, but in order to add value to the best we are going to add a bit of extra risk. Given the hosts’ lack of goals and Oldham’s fine defensive record, we think backing Oldham to Win to Nil is the best option from this clash.