Preview: Gateshead vs Altrincham – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Gateshead will attempt to extend their three-game unbeaten run when they welcome Altrincham to the Gateshead International Stadium on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the visitors will head on their travels with hopes of claiming their first away win of the National League season. 

Match preview

After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, Gateshead will be targeting a top-seven finish in their fourth consecutive season in the National League. 

The Heeds are currently sitting in seventh spot in the National League table after winning three, drawing one and losing two of their opening six matches.

Alun Armstrong‘s charges have put together a three-game unbeaten run since they fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat to Rochdale on August 20. 

They went on to record back-to-back victories over Tamworth and Yeovil Town, before playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their recent home outing against Aldershot Town.

While Armstrong will be satisfied with his team’s start to the season, he will be concerned by the fact they have shipped 14 goals in their six league matches, leaving them with the worst defensive record in the fifth tier at this early stage of the tournament.

Gateshead will be targeting their second home league win of the season in Wednesday’s contest, but that may be easier said than done, considering they have won just one of their last five home matches against Altrincham. 

Meanwhile, Altrincham finished the 2024-25 campaign four points adrift of the playoffs in ninth position and three points behind eighth-placed Gateshead.

The Robins have made an underwhelming start to the new National League season, having won two and lost four of their six matches. 

Phil Parkinson’s side followed their opening day win over Aldershot Town with three consecutive defeats, before they recorded a 2-0 home win over Solihull Moors.

However, they failed to build upon that result in Saturday’s away clash with Eastleigh, which saw them give up a half-time lead in a narrow 2-1 defeat.

That result represented their third consecutive 2-1 away loss of the season, leaving them as one of six teams yet to pick up a point on the road in the fifth tier.

Altrincham can at least take confidence from the fact that they have won their last two away games against Gateshead, including a narrow 1-0 victory in February’s trip to the Gateshead International Stadium. 

Gateshead National League form:

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Gateshead form (all competitions):

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Altrincham National League form:

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Team News

Gateshead full-back Max Melbourne could miss a second successive game after picking up an injury in the away win over Yeovil. 

Josh Home came off the bench to play around half an hour in the draw with Aldershot, and the midfielder is now in contention to earn a recall for Wednesday’s fixture. 

Wingers Kain Odom and Kyle Hurst represent two of Gateshead’s main attacking outlets, having scored three goals apiece in the first month of the season. 

As for the visitors, they could line up with a back four of Lewis Banks, Sam Barnes, Dan Sassi and Samuel Reed.

Charlie Kirk is pushing for a starting berth after having to settle for substitute appearances in the last two matches. 

Jimmy Knowles should continue to be one of the visitors’ main attacking threats after scoring two goals and providing an assist in six matches this season. 

Gateshead possible starting lineup:

Brooks; Johnson, Richardson, Pani, Ferguson; Odom, Chapman, Home, John, Hurst; Nouble

Altrincham possible starting lineup:

Hutchinson; Banks, Barnes, Sassi, Reed; Marriott, Crawford, Reddin; Kirk, Knowles, Gale

We say: Gateshead 2-1 Altrincham

Altrincham have lost each of their opening three away matches of the National League season, and with that in mind, we think Gateshead will make full use of home advantage to condemn Alty to another defeat on the road. 

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