Latics return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday as they make the trip to North Yorkshire to take on Harrogate Town (3pm KO).
Oldham have not played a league match since New Year’s Day when they picked up a point away at Hartlepool United in a goalless draw.
As a result of recent postponements, just one game has followed this; a comprehensive defeat to Wigan Athletic in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Form Guide
Town comes into the game on the back of a difficult run of form.
In the league, they have lost each of their last four outings, failing to trouble the scoreboard in the last two games in that sequence.
They have also bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup, losing 4-0 to the Sky Bet Championship’s Luton Town.
However, they have had more success in the Papa John’s Trophy. Recent knockout wins against Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United have set them up for a quarter-final tie with fellow fourth division side Sutton United.
In the league, Harrogate are a comfortable 14th position and look neither like threatening the promotion spaces whilst equally already having enough points on the board to ensure relegation won’t be an issue.
Town’s Last Six:
- Newport County 4-0 Harrogate Town
- Luton Town 4-0 Harrogate Town
- Harrogate Town 1-0 Carlisle United (Papa John’s Trophy)
- Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Harrogate Town (Papa John’s Trophy)
- Sutton United 1-0 Harrogate Town
- Harrogate Town 1-2 Northampton Town
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 3
Latics wins: 1
Harrogate wins: 2
Draws: 0
Scored: 5
Conceded: 4
In the game at Boundary Park earlier on in the season, Latics tasted defeat in a game that finished 2-1.
A goal from Jack Diamond in the first half and a second-half strike from Luke Armstrong put the visitors two ahead.
Harry Vaughan hit back ten minutes later, but unfortunately, his effort proved to be nothing but a consolation effort as the 'boys in blue' lost.
Oldham's only win against their opposition came in the away fixture last season.
Goals from Alfie McCalmont, Dylan Bahamboula and George Blackwood saw Latics cruise to a 3-0 triumph in Yorkshire.
Watch Out For
Top scoring for Town so far this season is Luke Armstrong.
With 11 goals to his name in all competitions this season, the 25-year-old has been a valuable signing following his move from Salford in the summer.
After a really good start to the season, the forward had appeared to have dried up a bit but he was back on target recently, scoring the only goal of the game in his side’s win over Carlisle and he will be looking to do similar at Boundary Park.
He was on the scoresheet the last time the two clubs met, netting the second goal of the game.
Born in Durham, Armstrong began his youth career in the North East with Middlesbrough. He also had a brief time in the Birmingham City youth setup before making the move north of the border to Cowdenbeath to kick start his senior career.
He struggled for game time at Cowdenbeath and made the move back to the North East to Blyth Spartans where he enjoyed a fruitful spell.
His form won him a move back to Middlesbrough, but he couldn’t force his way into the first-team plans and was loaned out to Gateshead and Accrington Stanley before a permanent move to Salford City.
Armstrong spent the second half of last season on loan at Hartlepool United and he was a big part of the effort that won them promotion to the Football League.
In The Dugout
Simon Weaver, 43, has been in charge of Town since 2009.
The long-serving gaffer has been a massive part of Harrogate’s incredible success and many promotions that have led them to EFL for the first time in the club’s history.
Interestingly, the owner of the club is Simon’s father Irving, but it is worth noting that his reign at the club predates that of his dad’s.
Stadium
The EnviroVent Stadium (Wetherby Road)
Capacity: 5,000 (1,000 seated)
Opened: 1920
Record attendance: 4,280 (vs. Harrogate Railway in 1949)
Match Officials
The official in the middle for the game is Tom Reeves.
Reeves last officiated a Latics game in December 2021 for the Sunderland victory in the Papa John's Trophy at the Stadium of Light. On that day, he handed out three yellow cards and zero red cards.
He's taken charge of 22 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 80 yellow cards and three red cards.
Reeves will be assisted by Mark Jones and Simon Clayton, with Graeme Fyvie as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Town are odds on favourites to claim three points, priced at ¾.
Latics are 16/5 to kick start their 2022 and gain a crucial three points in the battle to avoid relegation from the football league.
Latics have drawn both of their previous league games on the road and 13/5 is the price available for the same outcome this time around.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
An away fan guide can be found by clicking here before travelling to the fixture at the weekend.
Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match action.
Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.
For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.