Joey Barton and his side travel to Scunthorpe United on Wednesday night in Sky Bet League One action, and here is your preview for the match against the Iron.
leetwood suffered late heartbreak on Saturday at home to Rochdale when striker Ian Henderson rattled the netting in stoppage time to give each side a share of the points.
Town sit on four points after three league matches, and are unbeaten from home since the first game of pre-season, and it is a record the coaching staff and players want to keep come late Wednesday evening.
First team coach Clint Hill spoke to the media on Tuesday morning at Poolfoot Farm and knows that the match against Scunthorpe will be a test, however he knows his players have what it takes to bring all three points back to the Fylde Coast.
Clint Hill said…
“As in any away game, you know it's going to be a battle and from that you can earn the right to play. It's important that we go there and quiet the home crowd down, and it's fair to say that goes in every league match up and down the country.
"Scunthorpe have had a mix bag of results and I am sure they will want to use this game to turn around their season, and all in all, it looks to be a great game for both teams."
The Form Guide…
After picking up their first points of the season against Oxford United in the 2-0 victory, Town went on to win in the Caraboa Cup first leg against Crewe – which now sees the club travel to Premier League side Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday 28th August.
Saturday saw Town come away from Highbury with only a point. Goals from Paddy Madden and Ched Evans saw the home side lead in injury time, but there was time for Rochdale striker Ian Henderson to spoil the party.
Scunthorpe opened the season with a 2-1 win away at newly promoted side Coventry City. The home side took the lead, however it was goals from Stephen Humphrys and Andy Dale that gave the Iron all three points, and their only win of the season so far.
A 1-1 draw came in their second game against Walsall at home, three days later they suffered defeat in the EFL Cup first round at home to League One side Doncaster Rovers.
Sunderland came out 3-0 winners on Sunday against Nick Daws’ side at the Stadium of Light, and will now be looking to put the record straight when Joey Barton and the Cod Army make their way across the Pennines in midweek.
2018/19 Sky Bet League Form:
Fleetwood Town: L W D (4 points)
Scunthorpe United: W D L (4 points)
We’ve Met Before
The two sides have met ten times in the Football League, with their first meeting being in the 2013/14 season when both sides were in League Two. Scunthorpe won the game at Highbury 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sam Winnall on the hour mark, with the reverse fixture finishing goalless.
Town’s first win against Scunthorpe came a year later in August 2014. Town were on the road and pick up all three points in the club’s 2-0 victory. Jamie Proctor scored in the 70th minute before Gareth Evans sealed the win 10 minutes later.
Last season saw the two teams share the points in the first match with Jordy Hiwula getting the equaliser five minutes from time, however the second match was a five goal thriller, with The Iron winning 3-2 at Highbury thanks to two goals from Josh Morris, and striker Ivan Toney.
One to Watch
Scunthorpe United’s one to watch is on loan forward Stephen Humphrys. The striker joined the Lincolnshire based side in July 2018 on a season-long loan and already has two goals to his name in the four matches he has played.
Humphrys began his career in the Bury Youth set-up before moving to Fulham’s Academy in 2013. He made his professional debut in the Sky Bet Championship for Fulham against Derby County in December 2017, and was later sent on loan to Shrewsbury Town for the rest of the season.
Rochdale was the 20-year-old’s next club and went on to score two goals in 13 appearances in all competition, however with the London club gaining promotion via the Play-Offs to the Premier League, it was seen as a positive move for the youngster to get more game time elsewhere.
Betting Preview
Joey Barton’s side are priced at 21/10 to pick up all three points against Scunthorpe.
Nick Daws’ Irons are priced at 13/10 to win at home, with a draw at 23/10.
For Fleetwood to win and for both teams to score at Glanford Park, you can get boosted odds of 6/1. Can Joey Barton’s men get back to winning ways?
In this fixture last season it finished 1-1 and for a repeat of that score-line, the odds are at 5/1.
You can find more odds for the match on SkyBet. Please bet and gamble responsibly.