This week's match in focus sees two newly promoted sides pitted against each other, as National League North playoff winners Boston United host National League South title winners Yeovil Town at the Jakemans Community Stadium.
The Pilgrims snuck into last season's playoffs, finishing sixth on 75 points, one point clear of South Shields and Spennymoor in 8th and 9th place. Ian Culverhorse's side were promoted the hard way, having to beat Alfreton, Scunthorpe and Brackley all away from home.
Boston held Alfreton and Scunthorpe to 0-0 draws, beating the pair on penalties. The final saw them come from behind to beat odds-on favourites Brackley.
Jimmy Knowles and Kelsey Mooney were snapped up by League Two side Accrington, while Brad Nicholson was signed by fellow National League North side Scunthorpe. The gutting of the core of the squad clearly had an effect on Boston at the start of the season, losing 0-3, 0-4 and 2-0 to Rochdale, Forest Green and Southend respectively.
Their first points of the season came at home to National League North champions Tamworth in a 1-1 draw, in which Christopher Wreh scored a last-minute equaliser for the Lambs. United then shocked York City away from home, leaving the LNER Stadium with a 0-2 win.
Since their relegation from the Championship in 2014, Yeovil Town have been on a downward spiral. Their misery was compounded in 2023 when they were relegated to the National League South. However, Mark Cooper led the Glovers to an instant promotion, storming to the league title by 11 points, boasting the second-best defensive record in the league.
Hartlepool were the visitors to Huish Park in the opener, running out 0-1 winners in a scrappy game. Yeovil then recorded back-to-back wins by beating National League South playoff winners Braintree Town 0-1 and basement club Ebbsfleet 3-2. Back-to-back losses have followed against Gateshead (3-1) and Rochdale 0-1.
Both sides are in dire need of a goalscorer, with Boston only scoring three goals thus far and Yeovil five. Neither side have a player who has scored more than once yet, and that will worry Ian Culverhouse and Mark Cooper. With both sides battling relegation this season, defences will be key. This should be a scrappy and cagey affair, with goals hard to come by.
Under 2.5 goals @1.75 - bet365
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