Latics welcome Newport County to Boundary Park as they continue their Sky Bet League Two campaign (3pm KO).
Last time out, a goal from Davis Keillor-Dunn won Harry Kewell’s men a share of the points at the Bescot Stadium.
Form Guide
County are currently on a tricky run of form and they have now gone seven games in all competitions without a win.
They have drawn their last three league outings and the dropped points have seen them fall from the top of the table.
But are still in second place, behind only Cambridge United by one point with two games in hand on their promotion rivals.
The Exiles’ last six:
- Cheltenham Town 1-1 Newport County
- Newport County 0-0 Salford City
- Newport County 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion (FA Cup, Brighton won on pens)
- Crawley Town 1-1 Newport County
- Newport County 2-4 Oldham Athletic
- Salford City 1-1 Newport County
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 13
Latics wins: 8
Newport wins: 3
Draws: 2
Scored: 26
Conceded: 10
The clubs faced off against one another last month with Latics going to Rodney parade and bringing back maximum points.
Twice Oldham had to come from behind with Keilor-Dunn and Conor McAleny cancelling out goals from Scott Twine and Scott Bennett.
A huge moment in the game was Gary Lawlor denying Podraig Amond from the penalty spot to keep the score at 2-2 in the 71st minute.
Oldham were able to take full advantage of the missed spot kick and Leeds loanee Alfie McCalmont firing Latics into the lead in the 85th minute.
Zak Dearnley wrapped it up in the third minute of time added on, bagging his first goal since his injury layoff.
Team News
In terms of selection Head Coach Harry Kewell may have Zak Dearnley still out in the short-term due to injury in the last home game.
A decision needs to be made on which loanee will miss out with five only allowed in the matchday squad.
George Blackwood is still a couple of weeks away after a setback in his recovery.
Interesting Info
- A solid overall record: P13 - W8, D2, L3 - Scored 26 & Conceded 10.
- Home record (0-1 defeat in 2018): P6 - W5, D0, L1 - Scored 16 & Conceded 3.
- The first match between the teams was in 1962.
- Latics' biggest win was the 5-0 win in February last year. The highest scoring match against Newport was the 4-2 win in December.
- There’s been two goalless draws - 1962 and 1981. And no score draws ever between the two clubs.
- Oldham are on three straight wins against Newport, scoring 10 in the process, conceding just two.
- The Exiles are the 6th best side in the league away from home (W4, D5, L3 - Scored 17 & Conceded 12). Latics are the worst team in the league at home (W2, D1, L9 - Scored 16 & Conceded 23).
- Newport are on a miserable run of form, including losing at home to Oldham just before Christmas and are six without a win, D4, L2. Which included the narrow defeat to Brighton in the cup on penalties.
- Their last win came on the road - a 2-0 victory at Grimsby at the start of December.
- But have scored in every away game this season, while Latics have conceded in every game at Boundary Park this season.
Watch Out For
The Exiles have struggled for goals of late which coincides with Scott Twine going back to parent club Swindon Town.
If there is any man that is capable of arresting County’s decline in front of goal, it is Padraig Amond.
Amond scored in the last game that his side won but the club’s run without a win has coincided a baron run of the striker.
He started his career with Shamrock Rovers in 2006. 2007 saw him go out on loan to Kildare County. He left Shamrock Rovers in 2010, moving to fellow Irish side Sligo Rovers.
After an impressive season with Sligo where he scored 17 times in 27 appearances, the 32 year-old left Ireland for Portugal, joining FC Pacos De Ferreira.
Struggling to make an impact in Portugal, Amond was sent out on loan to Accrington Stanley where he would get his first taste of English football.
His move was later made permanent and he has had spells at Morecambe, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United before he joined Newport in August 2017.
In The Dugout
Michael Flynn is the man in the dugout for the visitors.
He was appointed boss at Rodney Parade in March 2017, and he managed to lead the club to a dramatic great escape to stop the club falling out of the football league.
During his time with the Exiles, Flynn has some impressive cup upsets on his CV which saw them reach the fifth round for the first time since 1949 in the 2018/19 season.
Match Officials
Referee: Christopher Sarginson
The League Two official taken charge of 19 games this season, handing out 51 bookings and two red cards. His last game with Latics was the 2-1 win at Southend back in October 2020.
Assistants: Paul Newhouse & Oliver Bickle
Fourth Official: Andy Haines
Sky Bet Odds
Newport have been made the bookies’ favourites for the game, priced at 6/5.
Latics are 21/10 to complete the double over County and the draw is 23/10.
A repeat of December's 4-2 triumph for Oldham is 80/1.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Mike Leyland you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.
Oldham Athletic would like to make it clear that all fixtures are still strictly-behind-closed doors with spectators not being allowed entry.
Extensive guidelines are in place for the safety of officials and players whilst the events are taking place.
It is important you do not travel or attempt to visit Boundary Park on the day, especially with the lockdown restrictions in place.