On Saturday Celtic take on Avro at Bower Fold, without James Kinsey in the dugout. Avro are currently tenth on fourteen points, three points and 5 places behind Celtic with two games in hand. Kick-off is 3pm.

After winning their opening game 1-0 at home to Atherton, Avro lost three and drew one in their next four, the three losses all away. Their only away win this season saw them beat Stafford 3-1, but they did get a 1-1 draw at Widnes in their most recent away game. At home they have fared better with only one loss, a draw and three wins. Avro’s last match saw them lose 3-1 at home to City of Liverpool.

Though Avro have scored in every home match, they have failed to score in two of their away games, losing 1-0 to Wythenshawe Town and 3-0 to Chasetown. Liam Ellis tops their scorer’s chart with four league goals. On average Avro score a goal per game away and 1.4 overall, whilst conceding 1.6 away and 1.4 overall, and have kept no clean sheets on the road. Two thirds of their goals scored have been in the first half.

We met Avro three times last season and never beat them. The first meeting in Oldham saw Avro come from behind with ten men to win 3-2, whilst the reverse fixture ended in a 2-2 draw, with Celtic having to come from behind twice. In between, the FA Trophy ended goalless, and Avro went through on penalties.

In Avro’s last match, the 3-1 home defeat to City of Liverpool, Avro lined up as:
1. Grant Shenton
2. Chiekh Thiam
3. David Fitzpatrick
4. James Dwyer
5. Geffry Ebhote
6. Craig Carney
7. Jake Cottrell
8. Sam Davidson
9. Kyle Hawley
10. Liam Ellis
11. Max Harrop

In Celtic’s last match, the 3-0 away defeat to Widnes, Celtic lined up as:
1. Charlie Monks
2. Luke Partington
3. Javid Swaby-Neavin
4. Jordan Butterworth
5. Aaron Chalmers
6. Jack Tinning
7. Jack Banister
8. Liam Tongue
9. Joe Duckworth
10. Max Leonard
11. Navid Nasseri

Liam Tongue will charge of Celtic, assisted by Greg Wilkinson and Phil Marsh. Grant Shenton will be available for Avro, despite his red card against Liverpool.