Take a look at everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's League Two encounter at The Progression Solicitors Stadium.
Barrow v Cheltenham Town
Saturday 19th December 2020, 3pm
The Progression Solicitors Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Cheltenham Town boss Michael Duff may have had a certain sympathy for Barrow when he cast his eye over the footage from The Bluebirds’ last-gasp defeat at Scunthorpe United in midweek.
The Robins suffered a similar fate on Tuesday when they conceded the only goal of the game in the final minute of their home contest with Bolton Wanderers as The Trotters escaped with three points.
It was a first defeat in seven for the high-flying Gloucestershire outfit who remain in the final promotion spot in League Two despite that minor setback.
After suffering play-off semi-final agony at the end of last term when they were inexplicably eliminated by Northampton Town despite winning the away leg 2-0, Town look even more determined than ever this season and will be hoping to get back on track this weekend.
One To Watch
Alfie May’s excellent form during the second half of last season following his move from Doncaster Rovers was one of the key factors as Cheltenham Town clinched a place in the League Two play-offs.
The front man, who netted 23 times in 118 outings for Rovers, joined The Robins for an undisclosed fee in January and he is the man they look to when it comes to goals.
May has scored five times in all competitions so far in 2020/21 and he will be hoping to enjoy a bumper festive period in front of goal – Barrow’s job is to make sure that doesn’t start on Saturday.
Head To Head
Cheltenham Town did the double over Barrow the last time the two clubs shared a division back in the 2015/16 National League campaign, as The Robins went on to win the title.
Prior to that you have to go back to the 1998/99 season for the previous meeting, while Barrow’s last victory in this fixture came in 1989/90 when a double from Colin Cowperthwaite secured a 2-1 triumph at Holker Street.
Referee
Marc Edwards is back at The Progression Solicitors Stadium for a second visit of the season this weekend when he is the man in the middle for our meeting with Cheltenham Town.
The official was also on the whistle when we hosted Leeds United in the Papa John’s Trophy here back in October when the game finished 2-2 before The Bluebirds won a penalty shootout.
Edwards was promoted to the EFL for the start of 2019/20 and has so far taken on 14 appointments during his second season on the list, most recently for Wigan Athletic’s 4-3 win over Accrington Stanley in League One last weekend.
Betting
Cheltenham have been installed as big 21/20 favourites for three points this weekend, while Barrow are rated a 12/5 shot and the draw is also priced up at 12/5 with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available so that you can enjoy every minute of the game against Salford City.
Season Ticket holders who can’t make it along to the game will still have complimentary access via their iFollow accounts, which should now have been successfully upgraded.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for Saturday.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of Saturday’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria who will describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.