This week's game in focus sees Gateshead make the long trip down to Surrey to face Woking at Kingfield Stadium.
Despite coming fourth in the most competitive National League campaign in 2022/2023, Woking were engulfed in a relegation battle the next season - surviving by just three points.
After a poor start to the season under Darren Sarll, The Cardinals turned to Michael Doyle for his first-ever managerial role. The Irishman showed his tactical nous to steer them to safety and would've been looking to a full pre-season to hone his squad.
However, they are in a financial predicament, with owner Drew Volpe having to take a £600,000 loan from his parents, meaning their summer dealings didn't go as swimmingly as they would've liked. Despite this, Woking still managed to attract some quality players to the club, most notably Harry Beautyman (Sutton), Cian Harries (Aldershot) and Dale Gorman (Barnet).
Doyle oversaw a large clear-out, with as many as 17 senior players departing the club, giving a new look to a Woking side looking to consolidate and re-build a squad capable of challenging in the top half of the table again.
Their season started disappointingly, losing 1-0 away at Altrincham.
Gateshead are a club on the up, and a club who have great ambition of playing in the EFL for the first time - stadium suitability permitting. Against the odds, the Head finished sixth in the division. However, they were not allowed to play in the playoffs due to the local council failing to gain them a ten-year lease on the International Stadium.
Their entertaining and easy-on-the-eye football saw manager Mike Williamson sniped by League Two side Milton Keynes Dons, with Rob Elliott promoted from within as the new gaffer. This ensured a smooth transition, with Gateshead winning 51.28% of their games under his stewardship.
While the departure of 20-goal striker Marcus Dinanga to Bromley and midfield lynchpin Ed Francis to Exeter is sure to weaken the squad, the clubs' exemplary recruitment has come to fruition yet again.
Francis has been replaced by the vastly experienced Jacob Butterfield after a fine season in the National League North with Scunthorpe, while Owen Oseni replaces Dinanga on a free transfer from Derby after eight goals in 15 appearances while on loan at National League North side Rushall Olympic.
Gateshead started the season in spectacular fashion, dismantling Ebbsfleet 5-1 on home soil. Creative maestro Greg Olley scored a hat trick, with Oseni and Callum Whealen scoring the other two. There is real optimism amongst the Gateshead faithful that they can achieve, at minimum, a playoff finish again.
Owen Oseni impressed massively in his loan spell at Rushall Olympic, prompting Gateshead to sign him as a Marcus Dinanga replacement. Dinanga scored 20 goals last season, so Oseni has big shoes to fill, but the general consensus is that the youngster can far exceed these expectations.
The Gateshead system is one that will see plenty of goals - evident in the 88 they scored last season. Therefore, Oseni should be afforded plenty of chances. The creativity of Greg Olley, Regan Booty and Luke Hannant will see Gateshead create an abundance of goalscoring chances.
Oseni possesses raw power and pace and is capable of causing real issues for defenders. At 3.10, he provides nice value to score yet again.
Best Bet: Owen Oseni to score @3.10
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