Both Halifax and Gateshead finished in midtable in the National League this term but they can finish with silverware in Sunday’s FA Trophy final.
However, with absentees hurting both sides, the pair could struggle on the big stage.
Halifax Town vs Gateshead Betting Tips
Date: Sunday 21st May, 2023
Time: 16:15
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
There’s little to split the pair heading into Sunday’s clash at Wembley, with Gateshead the slight favourites at 6/4.
Halifax are a 13/8 chance, while the draw can be backed at 2/1.
Team News
Halifax head into this clash without top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who picked up a suspension against Woking towards the end of the campaign.
However, things are worse for Gateshead, who for various reasons, have only 13 players to choose from.
Four regulars are out through injury – including player-manager Mike Williamson. Starting striker Marcus Dinanga is among three cup-tied players, while Ethan Pye was recalled by Stockport after winning their Players’ Player of the Year award.
Under 1.5 goals @ 2/1
Gateshead should come into this as the form team having won eight of their final 11 National League games, but half of that side won’t feature at Wembley for one reason or another.
That doesn’t exactly boost a Halifax side that finished two points and three places above Gateshead. The Shaymen are a different side without Dieseruvwe, scoring just five times across their last seven games without him.
Halifax already saw under 2.5 goals land in 78 per cent of their away games in the league this term, so without their key man up top, goals could be hard to come by on a nervy occasion for both sets of players.
Gateshead are likely to lack cohesion and attacking threat, so under 1.5 goals at 2/1 looks like good value.
0-0 Draw @ 15/2
With both sides missing key attacking players, a goalless draw looks like the best correct score option for this clash.
Halifax made the final thanks to winning a penalty shootout in three of the last four rounds, while Gateshead drew their last two matches in the competition. Neither side appear to have the firepower to cause problems, while the North-east outfit come into this one with three clean sheets in their last four.
Halifax also finished the National League campaign with three draws in their last four, while the pair shared a goalless draw when they met in March.
Across their last 14 head-to-head meetings, there have been a staggering 10 draws. Given the absent players across both sides and the scale of the occasion, another goalless draw is my correct score prediction.
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