We preview the big local derby...
Barnet FC
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 23rd January 2016
The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, SG2 8RH
Referee: Iain Williamson
Kick-off: 3pm
Ticket news:
Tickets for tomorrow’s game are available at in-advance prices up until 5pm in the club shop and midnight online. You will be able to buy from either the club shop or the turnstiles tomorrow, should you wish to pay on the day.
Shop news:
Take advantage of our January Sale inside the club shop before the game - we are open from 12-3pm and then 15 minutes after the final whistle.
Team news:
Ben Kennedy has undergone keyhole surgery on a tear in his meniscus that will keep him out until sometime in March, not until the end of the season as previously expected. Jerome Okimo is due to return from the same injury in around four weeks’ time.
Chris Whelpdale was due to travel to Plymouth last weekend only to pull up with a recurrence of his groin injury that had previously seen him miss the last four games. He should be out for another three weeks or so.
Adam Marriott could be back in training next week, having nearly recovered from an ankle injury that has kept him out for the last couple of months. Dean Wells returned to training at the back-end of this week so could be in contention for tomorrow although it might come too early for him.
In longer term news, Schuey and Macca are both making good progress from their ACL and MCL injuries respectively. Macca is anticipated to return to training for the beginning of March.
Away from the injury news – Luke Wilkinson and Michael Tonge are both registered to play tomorrow, having both been signed during the week.
View from the dressing room:
READ: Teddy hoping to get back to winning ways against Barnet.
READ: Tonge on signing a new contract with the club and tomorrow’s game.
Sign into Boro Player HD for full coverage from the gaffer’s press-conference and Tonge’s interview.
The story so far…
Barnet’s season has been one of brilliant home form and terrible away form so far. The Bees have the 2nd best home record in League Two but the worst on the road with just one win all season - away at high flying Oxford.
In their last six games Barnet have won three, drawn one and lost two – that draw coming in their last outing at home to Carlisle.
Barnet’s top two goalscorers this season, John Akinde (11) and Michael Gash (7) are both believed to be unavailable through injury tomorrow.
Head to Head:
Boro and Barnet have played each other 16 times down the years and there has been plenty of goals, entertainment and bizarre moments.
The Bees just come out on top overall with nine wins to six whilst there has only been one draw that came in 2004.
As mentioned, goals have always been plentiful as 57 have been scored across those 16 games including 14 in the previous three!
Our last meeting:
Betting with Sky Bet:
Stevenage are good value for the win tomorrow – slight favourites at 6/4 with official league sponsors, Sky Bet.
Think the goals trend will continue? Over 4.5 goals is 5/1 whilst Aaron O’Connor is joint favourite along with Charlie Lee to open the scoring at 6/1.
Sign up to Sky Bet through our attached links to help the club earn some extra revenue.
Live commentary, social media & online coverage:
Can’t make it? Listen to the game live on the Boro Player HD service from 14:50 tomorrow where Steve Watkins will be leading the commentary, as usual.
Our Twitter page is the place to be locked in on a matchday as we provide live minute-by-minute updates during the game as well as all of the up-to-date info and plenty of fun too.
All of our key content is linked from our Twitter account so if you are following us, you won’t miss a thing.
If you aren’t following us on Instagram yet then you should be – all the best photos from before, during and after the game will be uploaded here across the weekend.