Maidstone v Stevenage: Pitch battle will favour hosts

Graham Westley's Stevenage have a poor record on the road

The Gallagher Stadium's quirks will make things tough for sickly travellers Stevenage in this FA Cup first-round replay...

Maidstone v Stevenage
Thursday, 19:45
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Maidstone 4.57/2, Stevenage 1.8910/11, The Draw 3.814/5

Stevenage took out their FA Cup first-round frustrations on Cheltenham last weekend, firing five past the Robins at Broadhall Way in League Two six days after being held there by Maidstone.

Yet that shouldn't put anyone off laying them for victory at the Maidstone's Gallagher Stadium, with the 3G pitch just one of the factors to suggest the status quo may be in for a shake up.

One of the benefits of playing your football on such a maligned surface is that opposition sides are inevitably thrown by its mysterious qualities. As much is clear in the Stones' results on their artificial deck this term.

Jay Saunders' charges have won 13 of their 15 outings on home 'turf' this season and their unbeaten record only fell with a 0-2 reverse to AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy last time out.

However, Saunders had made seven changes from their previous outing against Dulwich Hamlet with this FA Cup replay in mind and the side were further diminished by a 24th-minute red card.

Maidstone's ground will be sold out for the arrival of Football League opposition who come smuggling a distinctly sickly road ledger.

In the midst of the kind of sticky patch that would necessitate a hasty trip to Marks & Spencer if it appeared on your trousers, they have won once in their last 14 away matches.

Over 2.5 goals

On the whole, Graham Westley's men haven't been failing on the frog and toad for a lack of net-finding nous, putting two past both Portsmouth and Tranmere on their last two road trips. Just one clean sheet in eight away games this season has more to do with it.

A visit to the Gallagher Stadium could play to their worst excesses if Maidstone's recent home results are anything to go by as ten of the Kent club's last 12 have tipped the 2.5-goal barrier.

Best Bet: Lay Stevenage to win @ 1.910/11
Other Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.910/11