Gateshead v Solihull Moors: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Gateshead and Solihull Moors need to pick themselves up after their end-of-term National League setbacks as they prepare to meet in the FA Trophy final at Wembley.

The Moors return to Wembley a week after losing there in a heartbreaking play-off final shoot-out to Bromley, while Gateshead were denied their chance of even competing in the play-offs because of a dispute over the lease on their stadium.

Gateshead v Solihull Moors betting tips and predictions

Gateshead to win - 11/8

There was virtually nothing to choose between Gateshead and Solihull Moors in the 2023/24 National League season.

The Heed finished sixth, one place and one point behind Solihull, although with a massively better goal difference.

In terms of head-to-heads, Gateshead won 2-1 at Solihull in November and Solihull returned the favour with a 3-2 victory at the International Stadium in March.

Since then, Gateshead have gone on to beat both Chesterfield and Bromley, the two teams promoted to the Football League, while Solihull have been consumed by a play-off campaign which yielded wins over Halifax and Barnet and then a devastating loss on penalties to Bromley in the final.

Gateshead, beaten FA Trophy finalists by Halifax 12 months ago, were unable to take part because of a ground ownership row so have had three weeks off to prepare for this match.

Playing at Wembley is nothing new to either camp, Gateshead in last year’s Trophy final and Solihull in last week’s play-off final. Both matches ended badly but the scars for the Moors could certainly take a while to heal.

Andy Whing’s men had invested so much emotionally and physically into their campaign to win promotion that it could well be a struggle to pick themselves up for this cup final.

Gateshead, of course, will be chomping at the bit after a three-week lay-off and having not been allowed to take part in the play-offs.

There were over 2.5 goals in both league meetings between the sides and both clubs averaged well over 2.5 goals per game in the league this season. Odds of 4/6 over 2.5 goals and 8/13 both teams to score confirm the suspicion that it should be an open game with both teams primed to be positive.

Both teams to score in 2nd half - 2/1

Everything points to this showdown being a high scorer - Solihull’s National League matches went at 2.9 goals per game, Gateshead’s 3.3.

And if there are going to be goals then expect many to come in the second half. Again, the stats back that up.

Gateshead scored 88 goals in the league this season - only the top two, Chesterfield and Barnet, grabbed more. They also conceded 64 - more than Kidderminster, who were relegated.

Incredibly, their matches produced an astonishing 94 second-half goals while Solihull’s yielded 78.

These two score goals - and concede them - late on and at Wembley, at the end of a long, draining season, expect this game to open up as players tire and the goals to flow. It’s 2/1 that both sides score in the second period.

Luke Hannant anytime scorer - 3/1

Heed winger Luke Hannant has enjoyed his best-ever goalscoring season and should be backed to find the net one more time at Wembley.

The ex-Port Vale, Cambridge and Colchester ace has scored nine times in the league this term, with three in his last three, plus a couple more in an FA Cup win at Stourbridge.

His goals from midfield were critical in getting Robbie Elliott’s men into the play-off places, and the seasoned former league player can cap his big day out with a goal.

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Gateshead v Solihull Moors odds

Gateshead - 11/8
Draw - 5/2
Solihull Moors - 15/8

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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.