STATISTICAL PREVIEW: AFC Fylde (A)

Introduction

Scunthorpe travel to Mill Farm Sports Village on Saturday to face Fylde.

This will be the Iron’s first game since the loss to Barrow on the 29th of September, with last week’s clash against Forest Green being rearranged.

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Match Preview

Scunthorpe lost 3-0 to Barrow last time out at Holker Street.

Second-half goals from Rekeem Harper, Alex Reid, and Arian Allen gave Barrow all three points in a game where Barrow edged the xG 3.36 to 0.79.

Fylde themselves are on a run of form that has seen them lose three of their last four, including a 3-1 loss to Southend last weekend.

Their only goal of the afternoon came courtesy of an own goal from Southend’s Ben Goodliffe, seeing them drop to 7th in the National League.

Scunthorpe United Form Guide

Scunthorpe were very much in the game at half-time against Barrow, as they had 51% of the ball before the break and went in level, although Barrow had already built up 0.70 xG to 0.13.

The game slipped away after the hour, with three goals conceded in the last 22 minutes.

Maison Campbell made seven saves for Scunthorpe, six of them in the second half.

Scunthorpe’s PPDA (passes per defensive action) was 8.7, and they won the ball back 25 times in the Barrow half.

Scunthorpe struggled to turn these transitions into chances, as only 11 possessions reached the Barrow penalty area, half Barrow's total of 22.

AFC Fylde Form Guide

Fylde have lost three of their last four games, including their 3-1 loss to Southend last weekend.

Fylde kept the ball well at Southend, with 53% possession and 462 of 529 passes completed.

Craig Mahon’s side struggled to create and finish chances last week, having 12 shots but only one on target.

This was reflected in the xG, with Fylde racking up 1.36 xG to Southend’s 3.69.

Tactical Insight

This game could be decided by Scunthorpe’s press against Fylde's passing.

Fylde are a side that like to build out from the back, with their goalkeeper Zac Jones playing 34 successful passes inside his own third at Southend, mostly to Merrie, Taylor and Lancaster.

A Scunthorpe press that won the ball 25 times in the Barrow half should get chances to force errors.

Conclusion

Fylde are in a bit of a rut in terms of results, so this should be a great opportunity for Andy Butler’s side to get back on track.

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