Brackley Town look to cause a FA Cup cupset as they face Notts County in the first round.
Victory would see Brackley reach the fifth round for the fifth time in their history, whilst it would mark the first time that they’ve achieved the feat in consecutive seasons.
Notts County meanwhile are looking to progress past this stage for the third straight season.
Team News
Brackley have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this match.
Notts County could be without Rod McDonald after he suffered an injury during their league win at home to Cambridge United last weekend.
When is Kick-Off?
Brackley host Notts County at St James’ Park in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 1 November, live on BBC Two and TNT Sports 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Brackley’s first-ever FA Cup meeting against Notts County.
- Notts County are making their first competitive visit to Brackley.
- Brackley have won their two previous home ties against EFL opposition, albeit both against Gillingham in replays in November 2013 and 2016 respectively.
- Notts County have lost just one of their last five FA Cup ties against non-league opposition as an EFL club (W4, L1), which came in a 2-0 loss at Salford at this stage in 2015-16 season.
Prediction
With just one win and clean sheet in their last eight matches across all competitions, Brackley need a huge defensive display but equally show more firepower up front if want to spring another cupset at home given their form when hosting EFL opposition in this competition.
Notts County though are unbeaten in their last five matches and although they currently lie fifth in League Two, I do expect them to treat this seriously especially with Martin Paterson at the helm – given his previous experience under Tony Pulis and Eddie Howe in taking the cup competitions seriously.
Although I do think that Brackley will try and make a fight of this game, their priority is on National League survival so Notts County should win this if play their best football.
Prediction: Brackley 0-2 Notts County