On Saturday, Celtic will be facing Gloucester City (kick off 3pm). Gloucester are currently thirteenth with twelve points in this season's Blue Square Bet North table, sixteen points and eleven places behind Celtic. There will be a match centre for this game.
Celtic will be looking to extend their one hundred percent home record against a team against whom they have a one hundred percent record. Despite not scoring in three matches, and only scoring once in five and nine all season, Gloucester will provide a stern test, with a solid defence that has only conceded as many goals as Celtic this season. Their last match was a 0-0 draw at home to Corby, whilst Colwyn and Harrogate have only managed to get three goals in total past them in Gloucester's last three matches. Gloucester have won twice this season on the road against Hinckley and Vauxhall Motors, but at home they have managed only one win, a 2-0 victory over bottom club Workington.
Our previous four meetings with Gloucester have seen us win all four, a comprehensive 4-1 back in December 2009 followed by a last minute Warren Peyton penalty sealing a dramatic comeback from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in February 2010 away. Last season, we beat them 2-0 at Cheltenham with a brace from Phil Marsh, followed by a terrific game at Bower Fold in April last season when we led 4-1 only for Celtic to almost throw it away in the last ten minutes, holding on for 4-3 - although it never looked like Gloucester would equalise.
Darren Edwards is Gloucester's top scorer this season, with five goals, including two in their last win the 3-2 victory over Hinckley back in August. Edwards was sent off in their 2-1 defeat away at Eastwood, and has missed the last three games, games in which Gloucester have not scored. He has served his suspension now, and will be available for selection against Celtic. First choice keeper, Kev Sawyer has left the club for Cirencester, and has been replaced by Bristol City reserves keeper, Lewis Carey, who kept a clean sheet in his debut against Corby in the week. Also on loan is Jake Harris from Newport County, who was brought in to bolster Gloucester's wafer thin squad that currently sees several players sidelined with injury, including club captain Tom Webb.
In their last match, the 0-0 draw at home to Corby, Gloucester lined up as:
1. Lewis Carey
2. Mike Green
3. Tyler Weir
4. Matt Coupe
5. Tom Hamblin
6. Sam Rawlings
7. Matt Lock
8. Darren Mullings
9. Will Morford
10. Jake Harris
11. Adam Mann
Celtic will be hoping to continue their two one hundred percent records against Gloucester. The automated prediction algorithm is suggesting a tight 2-1 win for Celtic, something that is needed to keep the gap on the chasing pack, and ensure that any stumble from Hyde will see Celtic regain top spot. In Celtic's last match, the 2-1 home victory over Blyth Spartans, Celtic lined up as:
1. Jan Budtz
2. Kristian Platt
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Rhys Meynell
5. Chris Lynch
6. Jack Rea
7. Craig Hobson
8. Greg Wilkinson
9. Phil Marsh
10. Lloyd Ellams
11. Connor Jennings
Marsh needs only a couple of goals to return back to the top of the league goal scorers chart, whilst Jennings only needs a couple to break into the top three.
Other games to watch this weekend are Guiseley away at Gainsborough, where a draw would be the best result for Celtic, and Hyde away at Eastwood, where Hyde have to be favourites against the struggling Eastwood.
Other games this weekend:
Altrincham (13pts 11th) v Nuneaton Town (17pts 5th)
Boston United (14pts 10th) v Droylsden (14pts 8th)
Colwyn Bay (16pts 6th) v Solihull Moors (6pts 21st)
Corby Town (15pts 7th) v Blyth Spartans (9pts 18th)
Eastwood Town (8pts 20th) v Hyde (30pts 1st)
Gainsborough Trinity (21pts 4th) v Guiseley (22pts 3rd)
Harrogate Town (11pts 15th) v FC Halifax Town (13pts 12th)
Hinckley United (12pts 14th) v Histon (9pts 17th)
Vauxhall Motors (10pts 16th) v Workington (5pts 22nd)
Worcester City (14pts 9th) v Bishop's Stortford (9pts 19th)