SCENE-SETTER
Though United were beaten 2-0 away at Tranmere Rovers last time out in the league, we did defeat Carlisle United two weeks ago at the Sands Venue Stadium.
Jordan Hallam scored the winner in the first-half while Rory Watson made three important saves as Scunthorpe won 1-0 and kept their first clean sheet of the season.
The Iron come into this weekend sitting 18th and looking for a win that could help us climb the table as we get ready for consecutive home games (Cambridge United visit next Saturday).
THE OPPOSITION
Mark Cooper's side sit 10th in the league and a victory for United could see them overtake their opponents in the table.
Their only league victory of the season so far came away at Bolton Wanderers on the opening day, with Carl Winchester scoring the decisive goal that day.
Since then, though they're unbeaten in the league, they've drawn their last three games. Winchester and Aaron Collins scored as they came from behind to draw 2-2 with nine-man Bradford City in a heated affair, while a goalless stalemate at Salford and 1-1 home draw against Walsall followed.
Summer signing Jamille Matt scored his first goal for the club in the latter of those matches.Coming from Newport, the striker was one of their most high-profile summer arrivals, although former AFC Wimbledon man Scott Wagstaff and ex-Grimsby midfielder Elliott Whitehouse have bolstered the centre of the park. Wing-back Jayden Richardson also joined on loan from Nottingham Forest and will be a familar face to the Iron's Jake Taylor, who is also on loan from the same club.
Former Iron loan defender Joseph Mills was their top scorer from left-back last season and signed for Northampton Town in the summer, while hulking centre-back Farrend Rawson joined Mansfield Town. Ex-MK Dons defender Jordan Moore-Taylor and former Portsmouth goalkeeper Luke McGee look shrewd acquisitions to help keep them solid at the back, however.
TEAM NEWS
Jordan Clarke will continue to sit out after missing the last two matches with a thigh problem as a precaution. He was set to make his first appearance for nine months in the EFL Trophy game against Manchester City Under-21s.
Jordan Hallam (hamstring) will also sit out the game against Mark Cooper's side after missing out last week.
Harrison McGahey (hamstring) still has about three weeks on the sidelines after coming off at half-time against Crawley Town last month, while Kevin van Veen (knee) also continues his rehabilitation four weeks after his operation.
Olufela Olomola (hamstring) and Jai Rowe (knee) continue their returns to training and could be involved for the Under-23s away at Huddersfield Town next Wednesday.
PAST MEETINGS…
We have met on just three previous occasions, with John McAtee scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory at the Sands Venue Stadium back in February.
Scunthorpe won 2-0 at the New Lawn last season, with Alex Gilliead and Abo Eisa scoring after Jake Eastwood's penalty save from Matt Stevens.
Prior to that, the two teams had only met once, with United running out 2-0 winners in the FA Cup first round in November 2004. Gary McSheffrey scored two goals as the Iron negotiated through a tricky tie at the then non-league outfit.
ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
Saturday, October 10th
Barrow v Leyton Orient
Bolton Wanderers v Grimsby Town
Cambridge United v Newport County
Cheltenham Town v Crawley Town
Mansfield Town v Stevenage
Oldham Athletic v Morecambe
Port Vale v Carlisle United
Salford City v Tranmere Rovers
Southend United v Exeter City
Walsall v Colchester United
Monday, October 12th
Bradford City v Harrogate Town
