On Saturday, Celtic have a crucial match away at Runcorn Linnets. Runcorn are only two points and two places behind Celtic in eighth on fifty-four points. Kick off 3pm.

Runcorn are having a strong finish to the season, with one loss in their last nine matches. They had four wins and four draws in that period. With nine draws in total, they have the fourth highest draw rate of any team in the league. Four of their last six games have been draws, including their last match a 1-1 away draw with Kidderminster, indeed, most of their draws have been away. Their last home match was a 2-0 over City of Liverpool, becoming the team to relegate Liverpool. Their last home loss was at the end of January when Stafford beat them 3-1, and though Runcorn rarely draw at home, out of the top ten teams, Only Trafford have lost more home matches than Runcorn.

Only the bottom two have conceded more goals at home than Runcorn’s thirty goals. On average they concede 1.8 goals per home game (1.5 overall), whilst they score 1.6 goals per home game (1.4 overall). Runcorn have failed to score in three home games, the last time on New Year’s Day when Witton won 4-0. They have kept three clean sheets at home, most recently their last home game against Liverpool. At nine goals, Ryan Brooke is Runcorn’s top scorer so far this season, Will Saxon three behind on six. Just past half-hour is Runcorn’s most dangerous period, whilst they are most vulnerable at the hour mark.

We’ve met Runcorn more frequently in cup competitions than the league, Since their formation from the ashes of the previous Runcorn, we have only won one match, their initial meeting in the Cheshire Cup in 2013, which we won 2-1. Runcorn have won every other competitive fixture since. Last season, they won 1-0 home and away, whilst this season, they beat us 3-2 in mid-November, the 2-0 lead given by Liam Tongue and Jack Irlam overturned in the three minutes in the second half after pulling one back in the first half.

In Runcorn’s last match, the 1-1 away draw with Kidsgrover Athletic, Runcnorn lined up as:
1. Bayleigh Passnt
2. Peter Wylie
3. Eden Gumbs
4. Lewis Nolan
5. Joseph Ferguson
6. Callum Grogan
7. Adam Moseley
8. Jaques Walsh
9. Ryan Brooke
10. Lewis Doyle
11. Naim Arsan

In Celtic’s last match the 4-2 home win over Nantwich, Celtic lined up as:
1. Charlie Monks
2. Jordan Butterworth
3. Kyle Brownhill
4. Charlie Doyle
5. Sean Tse
6. Brandon Newell
7. Jack Irlam
8. Liam Tongue
9. Lewis Rawsthorn
10. Joe Duckworth
11. Max Leonard

Celtic are five points away from the play-offs, but still well within with a chance if Vauxhall (at home to Kidsgrove), Hednesford (away at Liverpool), Congleton (away at Newcastle) or Chasetown (home to Bootle) stumble. Breathing down Celtic’s necks are Avro (away at Witton), Trafford (at home to Stafford) and of course, Runcorn. All of whom could leapfrog Celtic if Celtic lose.