National League side Altrincham carved out a reputation as FA Cup giant killers and they will be aiming to bridge a two-division gap against League One Notts County at Moss Lane on Saturday.
Altrincham were among the strongest non-league teams during the 1970’s and 1980’s when they registered 12 victories over EFL clubs, including a 2-1 victory away to top-tier Birmingham in the 1985/86 third round.
More recently, they won promotion to the National League in 2020 and posted a fourth-placed finish in 2023/24 before succumbing 3-1 away to Bromley in the play-off semi-finals.
Alty’s dream of reaching the EFL is ongoing with the Manchester club positioned seventh in the fifth tier standings with 28 points from 16 games.
Altrincham have won five of eight home fixtures in this season’s National League and they will be hoping to rise to a significant challenge against Notts County, who were a fifth-tier club as recently as 2023.
Notts County won the League Two play-offs last season and are adjusting reasonably well to third-tier football with 14 points taken from 12 fixtures.
League One survival is their main priority but head coach Martin Paterson has promised to select a strong side for the weekend as he aims to navigate a safe passage through a potentially troublesome FA Cup tie.
Altrincham v Notts County Tips Summary
Best Bet - Notts County to win by one goal @ 3/1
Alternative Bet - Notts County to win 2-1 @ 15/2
Bet Builder - Luka Smyth to score anytime, Both teams to score & Under 4 goals @ 31/4
Altrincham v Notts County Prediction
Best Bet: Notts County to win by one goal @ 3/1
Notts County are used to being the underdog in League One fixtures, but they are warm favourites to win at Altrincham and can grind out a victory with a workmanlike performance.
FA Cup shocks often occur when the higher ranked team drops below their usual standards.
But there is little chance of complacency from the Magpies, whose manager, Martin Paterson, places a huge emphasis on keeping players fully focused on each and every game.
Notts County passed a much stiffer test last Saturday when winning 2-0 at in-form Mansfield, although they will be prepared for a battle against in-form Alty, who have gathered 19 points from their last nine National League games.
Altrincham should give a good account of themselves but it may not be sufficient to add another club to their list of EFL scalps.
Alternative Bet: Notts County to win 2-1 @ 15/2
Notts County have had to get used to grinding out results in League One and they are unlikely to suddenly turn on the style this weekend.
Two of the Magpies’ five victories this season have been by a 2-1 scoreline, including their September triumph at home to League Two Grimsby in the EFL Trophy.
County will have full respect for Altrincham and can do just enough to secure their passage to the next round.
Altrincham v Notts County Bet Builder Tip
Luka Smyth to score anytime
Both teams to score
Under 4 goals
Pays 31/4
Notts County haven’t been scoring bundles of goals but they could soon see the true value of towering Australian centre-forward Luka Smyth, who has netted just three times since his summer switch from Finnish side VPS.
Smyth's best day in a County short was back in August when he came off the bench to score twice in the 2-1 victory at home to Burton.
However, he has had 19 goal attempts in 11 League One appearances and his aerial threat could make the difference against a physical and well-organised Altrincham side.
Alty may struggle to keep County at bay, but they can run their League One opponents close and excite the home crowd by getting on the scoresheet.
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Key Match Stats
Altrincham have lost just two of their last 11 fixtures
Altrincham have scored in 13 of their last 15 matches
Both teams have scored in five of Altrincham’s last seven games
Eleven of Notts County’s last 12 games have featured less than four goals
County have scored less than three goals in 14 of their last 15 fixtures
County have won four of their last seven fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
