On Saturday Celtic make the short trip up the M62 to Halifax. Newly promoted Halifax had high hopes for the season, but currently sit midtable in thirteenth on five points, having one win and two draws from the opening four games. There will be a match centre for this game.
Halifax won the Evo-Stik Premier at a canter last season, clearing second placed Colwyn Bay by nineteen points; finishing two points shy of a round hundred, losing just four times all season and scoring a hundred and eight goals. Only Northwich beat them at the Shay, whilst on the road they were beaten only by Buxton, Chasetown and Colwyn Bay.
This season it's been a trickier start for the Shaymen, and though they have won at Blyth (3-2), they have yet to win at home, drawing most recently with Colwyn Bay, but losing their opening day fixture against Corby at home. James Vardy is set to be their top scorer, if Halifax can keep hold of their star striker, and has already found the net three times this season. Halifax have some former Celtic players in their ranks, including James Dean, Simon Garner and Tom Baker.
With Celtic's 100% start to the campaign, the automated prediction algorithm is suggesting a 4-2 win for Celtic, which would be a super result, and is eminently achievable.
Halifax have no suspensions or injury worries ahead of the game, and in their last match, the 1-1 draw at home to Colwyn Bay, Halifax lined up as:
1. Simon Eastwood
2. Aaron Hardy
3. Danny Lowe
4. Tom Baker
5. Liam Hogan
6. Scott McManus
7. Jamie Vardy
8. Harry Winter
9. Lee Gregory
10. Danny Holland
11. Nick Gray
Celtic will be without captain and central defender Rhys Meynell for the match, as he is serving a one-match suspension for the sending off against Nuneaton on the opening day. It is expected that Chris Lynch will step into his role. Craig Hobson picked up a knock against Workington midweek, and will be assessed ahead of Saturday's game. In Celtic's last match, the phenomenal 5-2 win away at Workington, Celtic lined up as:
1. Jan Budtz
2. Joel Bembo-Leta
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Rhys Meynell
5. Kristian Platt
6. Jack Rea
7. Adam Kay
8. Greg Wilkinson
9. Phil Marsh
10. Lloyd Ellams
11. Craig Hobson
There are no two ways about this game. Halifax are a very good team, and one of the bookies hot tips for the play offs, starting the season at 8/1 (Celtic were 12/1). However, Celtic are also a very good team, and could continue on their best start to a league campaign in decades. With Hyde entertaining Altrincham, a win could see Celtic return to the top of the table.
Other matches on Saturday:
Eastwood Town (7pts 9th) v Worcester City (7pts 5th)
Gainsborough Trinity (6pts 11th) v Blyth Spartans (4pts 17th)
Guiseley (9pts 3rd) v Colwyn Bay (7pts 7th)
Harrogate Town (7pts 8th) v Boston United (4pts 15th)
Hinckley United (3pts 18th) v Gloucester City (7pts 6th)
Histon (2pts 20th) v Corby Town (6pts 10th)
Hyde (12pts 1st) v Altrincham (5pts 12th)
Nuneaton Town (4pts 14th) v Bishop's Stortford (3pts 19th)
Vauxhall Motors (4pts 16th) v Solihull Moors (0pts 22nd)
Workington (1pts 21st) v Droylsden (8pts 4th)