Please note, in line with the current EFL COVID-19 guidelines, no spectators are permitted at these games.
SCENE-SETTER
United commenced their Merit League fixtures with an away defeat to Notts County (2-0), fielding a youthful side on the day, but they backed up that with a battling 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town at home last weekend.
This is the side's third of a four-game extension to the season, but despite finishing as runners-up in the regular campaign, the team aren't guaranteed to end the league in second position, with the results from the Merit League being added to the existing standings. The top five are currently playing each other once more and the bottom five playing each other once more.
The league split can be likened to the one in the Scottish Premier League, with the league effectively in two halves for the final few weeks of the season.
The Iron came into the Merit League off the back of back-to-back wins over Huddersfield Town, prior to losing against the Magpies. They won 3-1 away from home with Joey Dawson (two) and Dan Gallimore netting, while Dawson added another brace in the return fixture, with Cam Wilson also netting in the 3-2 win.
Our opponents come into the game off the back of their own 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town. Prior to that, they exited the FA Youth Cup with a 9-0 away lost to Aston Villa, but prior to that they beat Rotherham United 3-0.
The two sides have already met twice times this season. The Brewers won 3-1 in the meeting at St George's Park, with Harry Lewis netting for United. Meanwhile, it was a 4-1 win for Scunthorpe in the reverse fixture, with Harrison Poulter and Joey Dawson both getting braces.
TEAM NEWS
A number of second-year scholars returned to the side last time out to strengthen the team against the Mariners.
Cameron Wilson came off the bench after struggling with an ankle problem in the build-up to the game, while elsewhere the side was virtually back to full strength.
Harry Baker remains out with a knee injury, Patrick Virgo continues to miss out with a hamstring problem while it is expected the Iron will continue to go with their younger players coming through. Alex Wilkinson, who had made a comeback in recent weeks, was missing again last time out.
LAST TIME OUT (D1-1 v Grimsby Town - Youth Alliance Merit League)
IRON: Crosher, Moore, Lewis, Franklin (Pike, 84), Kemp, Lobley, Abraham (Wilson, 55), Moore-Billam, Strouther (Trialist A, 64), Poulter, Gallimore.
IRON UNUSED SUBS: Balme.
LATEST RESULTS
Huddersfield Town 3-0 Bradford City
Mansfield Town 2-0 Lincoln City
ELSEWHERE IN THE MERIT LEAGUE
Saturday
Doncaster Rovers v Mansfield Town (11am)
Grimsby Town v Rotherham United (11am)
Lincoln City v Huddersfield Town (11am)
LEAGUE TABLE
