LEAGUE TWO PREVIEWS
SWANSEA CITY v SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Faltering Swansea take on Scunthorpe in a game that is critical to both side's ambitions of reaching League One. Scunthorpe were seven points clear before Christmas but they have been pegged back and their midweek defeat at Yeovil enabled the chasing pack to close within three points of the Iron.
Swansea's midweek defeat at Darlington meant that they dropped out of the top three for the first time in months as Macclesfield leapfrogged them by virtue of goals scored.
With Southend entertaining struggling Bury and being level on points as well then it is a real test of nerve for both teams. Lee Trundle, Paul Connor and Lee Thorpe should have enough to give any defences problems at this level while Paul Hayes and Steve Torpey will test the Swans back line as well.
It looks like being a test of nerve more than anything else and a passionate home crowd might just tip the balance in Swansea's favour.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Both teams had exhausting and fruitless midweek trips but the fact that Scunthorpe have a long journey again will count against them. Swansea to pinch it by a solitary goal.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN v BRISTOL ROVERS
Jon Parkin and Matt Tipton are arguably the most potent strike-force in the division and helping Macclesfield confound the critics. Many at the start of the season tipped Brian Horton's men for the drop but they climbed back into the automatic promotion places again in midweek after a scorching recent run of five straight wins.
Tipton grabbed a hat-trick last Saturday as they walloped Rochdale 3-0 while Parkin has already passed the 20-goal mark for the campaign. With experienced players such as Graham Potter and Neil Mackenzie in the side as well then it is easy to see why the Silkmen are the surprise package this season.
Bristol Rovers meanwhile have once again failed to live up to their expectations and support base. While Ian Atkins has ensured they won't have another season of fighting relegation it looks as though the play-offs are going to beyond them.
They turned in a real Jekyll and Hyde performance at Kidderminster in midweek where they were a goal behind at half-time, but produced a spirited fight back and Junior Agogo's 16th goal of the campaign salvaged a point.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: The Pirates will make it tough, but Macclesfield's greater firepower should seal all three points and continued their charge up the table.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS v NOTTS COUNTY
Steve Claridge is proving that age is no barrier as he is single-handedly rejuvenating Wycombe's season. The 39-year-old has banged in four goals in the last three games since arriving at the Causeway Stadium and his brace helped them to an impressive 4-1 win at Mansfield in midweek.
That win lifted them to the edge of the play-off zone as John Gorman is just starting to stamp his authority on the Chairboys.They have a wealth of experience with players such as Claridge, Steve Guppy, Stuart Nethercott and Gus Uhlenbeek.
And Notts County will need to be at their very best to try and compete with their in-form hosts. The Magpies are safe but this season has been a big anti-climax as they were expected to be challenging at the business end of the table. Gary Mills paid with his job and while Ian Richardson has steadied the ship, there is a sense of disappointment around Meadow Lane. But with a forward line of Gavin Gordon and Glyn Hurst then they have to be watched at all times.
CLARKY'S VERDICT: Wycombe's march towards the play-offs will continue with a comfortable home win by two clear goals.
