United welcome Newport County AFC to Brunton Park as we look to sign-off the 2017/18 campaign with three points.
The Blues have been in good form of late and will be keen to give departing boss Keith Curle a fitting send off.
But Newport have been flying high this season and will prove a tough proposition for Curle’s side.
We put Michael Flynn’s men under the spotlight ahead of their visit to Brunton Park:
Vast Improvements
After a great escape from relegation last season, Newport have pushed on this season and are currently perched just two places below the Blues in eleventh.
Flynn’s side lost just one of their first seven League Two games this campaign, which set the foundations for their rise up the table.
Their recent form, however, has been slightly more inconsistent with the Exiles winning two and drawing two of their last four outings.
They did claim a fine 2-1 win over champions Accrington Stanley in late April, although they lost out to relegated Chesterfield on Tuesday evening.
Troubles on the Road
You have to go back to March to find the last time Newport won on the road as they picked up maximum points at Yeovil.
Since then, the Exiles have only played away from home twice and have lost them both – to Barnet and Chesterfield.
Indeed, Newport have only won seven away from home this campaign and will be keen to add another away triumph at Brunton Park.
What Does History Tell Us?
The two sides had never met in their current form before 2014/15, but have faced-off in every season since.
And it’s Newport who hold the upper hand having claimed victory in five of those meetings, with United only winning one.
That sole United victory came towards the end of last season as goals from Nicky Adams and Jabo Ibehre secured victory for the Blues.
Our meeting earlier this season ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw as Luke Joyce, Kelvin Etuhu and Tom Miller found the net.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Ones to Watch
+ Mickey Demetriou - A solid defender who is also able to chip in with plenty of goals, Demetriou played a starring role in County’s great escape from relegation last year. He made his break into the Football League with Shrewsbury but found first team opportunities hard to come by, and eventually joined the Exiles in January of this year. From there Demetriou, who is comfortable playing full-back or wing-back, scored three goals and helped keep four clean sheets as Newport avoided relegation - making him a firm fans’ favourite.
+ Josh Sheehan - The promising youngster spent time on loan at Newport last season, with his seven goals seeing him become the club’s joint top scorer, and he rejoined the Exiles in January on a permanent deal. Formerly of Swansea City, the all-action midfielder has stepped into the gap left by injured skipper Joss Labadie and has impressed. With a fine range of passion, Sheehan has the potential to unlock the opposition defence and isn’t afraid of taking on a shot himself.
+ Padraig Amond - A summer addition from recently-relegated Hartlepool, Amond certainly knows where the goals is and has already netted six for Newport this season. Formerly of Morecambe and Grimsby, the Irishman has plenty of pace to burn and his movement in and around the area makes him a nightmare for defenders to deal with. He’ll need to be watched carefully this Saturday.
