Celtic?s next match is away at Nuneaton Borough (3pm kick off). Nuneaton have not had the best start to their campaign, and currently sit outside the drop zone on goal difference in eighteenth, three points and eight places behind Celtic, having won one, drawn one and lost three.

Their opening day fixture was a 1-2 defeat at home to Harrogate. The first points came away at Alfreton, but losses on the road at Workington and again at home to Burscough with a goalless draw on Monday away at Redditch mean that they are floundering near the foot of the table. Thus far, Nuneaton have yet to win at their new ground (the directions have been update to their Liberty Way ground). They have conceded five goals at home, scoring three.

In the past ten years, we?ve visited Nuneaton five times, but our only victory there was in 2002 when we beat them in a Trophy Replay after they?d held us to a 1-1 draw at Bower Fold. Our last visit saw us go down 3-0 before pulling back two goals and running out of time. Nuneaton?s last visit to Bower Fold saw Celtic take the three points courtesy of an own goal with ten minutes to go having come from behind twice. Our only points at Nuneaton?s gaff came in 2005 when we played out a goalless draw.

This season Nuneaton?s current top scorer is Andy Brown who has scored all three of Nuneaton?s goals at home. Most of the goals scored against Nuneaton have come in the second half, with the hour mark seeing a third of them put in. Scoring-wise, four of Nuneaton?s six goals have come around the half time whistle. Nuneaton have scored an average of 1.5 goals per game at home, 1.2 overall, whilst they have conceded 2.5 goals per game at home, 1.6 overall. However, it is early in the season, and Borough will be hoping that this ratio changes.

Celtic have scored eight goals this season, with Chris Hall, Lee Ellington and Carlos Roca all getting two apiece. On the road, we have scored 1.5 goals per game (1.6 overall), and conceded a goal per game (1.2 overall). We?ve scored half our goals in the opening twenty minutes, meaning the average time of our first goal is just eleven minutes in. Conceding for us is done regularly, with two of the five conceded goals coming around the half time mark.

Nuneaton had Gavin Cowan dismissed in their last match against Burscough and in their away trip to Workington. This means that Cowan will be suspended when Celtic visit on Saturday. Andy Brown and Carl Palmer will be both having late fitness tests, the former for a foot injury picked up against Redditch, the later with a groin strain at Burscough.

In Nuneaton?s last match, the 0-0 draw away at Redditch, Nuneaton lined up as:
1. Darren Acton
2. Simon Travis
3. Neil Moore
4. Gavin Cowan
5. Connor Franklin
6. Jamie Towers
7. Tom Curtis
8. Carl Palmer
9. Bradley Pritchard
10. Andy Brown
11. Matty Collins

Celtic?s performances have been improving, and this culminated in a good display against Leigh, the game finishing 3-1. In that match, Celtic lined up as:
1. Paddy Gamble
2. Steve Payne
3. Andy Smart
4. James Dudgeon
5. Mark Haran
6. Paul Sykes
7. Lee Ellington
8. Terry Barwick
9. Chris Hall
10. Matty Barlow
11. Ashley Burbeary

Nuneaton will be a big test; despite their poor start they are a good outfit, and will be looking for their first home win of the season. However, Saturday is a good day to play them.