Merthyr Town make the trip to Berkshire on Saturday for a tough Southern League Premier Division clash with promotion-chasing rivals Slough Town.
The Martyrs are second, just behind leaders Chippenham, while Slough are fifth.
Both are in the hunt to win the title and automatic promotion, but Slough manager Neil Baker reckons they will miss out to Hitchin Town, who are a point behind Merthyr with a game in hand.
“Hitchin could well go on and win it,” said Baker. “Chippenham are also in there, but we have to remember there is still a lot of football to be played.”
There is only one automatic promotion place available with the next four teams qualifying for the play-offs.
This is Merthyr’s second trip to play on the 3G pitch at Slough’s Arbour Park stadium, having lost 2-0 there in an FA Trophy replay during November.
That followed a 2-2 draw at Merthyr’s LoadLok Community Stadium and in three meetings so far this season the Martyrs have yet to record a win. Slough were top of the Premier Division when the teams battled out a 2-2 league draw in October.
Manager Gavin Williams and his Merthyr team are under no illusion as to how crucial this match at Slough is. A win for Rebels would see them just one point behind Merthyr with two games in hand.
A draw would see Merthyr virtually certain to retain second place with the two teams immediately below them, Hitchin and Leamington, facing difficult-looking games against Frome and Chesham respectively.
Goalscorers Ian Traylor and Kayne McLaggon are key players for Merthyr in their aim for an away win.
Merthyr are looking to extend their 11-match unbeaten run, while Slough themselves have won their last three games but with the five games prior to that showing a record of one win and four defeats including a remarkable 6-0 victory at Leamington which was followed just three days later by a 5-2 loss away to King’s Lynn.
Slough are the third highest scoring team in the division, behind top two Chippenham and Merthyr, and last Saturday won 4-3 away at lowly Cambridge City following a 3-0 win over Weymouth in their last home match.
Chris Flood has scored six goals in the last five games for Slough, including a hat-trick against Leamington, while Gavin James, a St Vincent and The Grenadines senior international, has netted four times in his last four matches.
Slough’s leading scorer with 17 goals is midfield player James Dobson, who is a set piece specialist, but he has not found the net since mid-December.
Merthyr’s new loan signing Jack Compton is included in the Merthyr squad, taking the place of Ben Watkins. Manager Williams has allowed Watkins out on loan to Abergavenny Town.
He who can play right-back or in midfield.
Watkins has made 11 appearances this season and scored his first goal for Merthyr against Kings Langley in December.
His appearances have been limited recently and after a discussion with manager Williams it was agreed that Watkins would sign for Abergavenny on loan. He will continue to train with the Martyrs during his loan move.
Merthyr’s Eliot Richards will have a late fitness test after being able to train on Thursday evening.
Slough are likely to set up 4-4-2 formation and manager Baker has said they will use a diamond formation.
Nathan Smart returns for Slough after serving a one-match ban.
Slough are keen to strengthen their squad with a new striker and they have made an official approach for the player they want, but he won’t be added to their squad in time for Merthyr’s visit.
