NPL preview | Saturday 7 December

Second-placed Worksop Town have the opportunity to close the gap to leaders Macclesfield when they visit another of the current top five in Ilkeston Town.

Back-to-back wins have seen the Tigers re-claim second position, but standing in their way this Saturday is an Ilkeston side yet to taste defeat at home in the league this season.

Hot on the heels of Worksop are third-placed Guiseley, who welcome Whitby Town to Nethermoor.

The Lions are eight unbeaten in the league - five wins and three draws accrued during that time. 

Whitby, meanwhile, occupy a mid-table finish at present but come into Saturday in confident mood having scored seven goals in their last two league games, winning both.

Elsewhere, Ashton United will look to hang onto their play-off position with a trip to Matlock Town.

The Gladiators were on the wrong end of a thrilling 3-3 draw at Morpeth Town last time out, having led 3-0 in that game.

Ashton have one of the stronger away records in the division, losing just one of their nine league games on the road.

Should either Ilkeston or Ashton drop points, Hyde United will end the weekend in the top five, should they win at Leek Town.

Leek have the worst home record of any side in the division, picking up four points from a possible 27 at Harrison Park. They will also be eager to end their six-game winless run sooner rather than later.

There's also an intriguing match-up in store at Hebburn Sports Ground, where the home side do battle with Morpeth.

Despite winning just one of their last five games in the league, the Hornets could still finish the weekend in the play-off spots, should they win and other results go their way.

Meanwhile, Prescot Cables and Workington will hope to finish the weekend in the top half of the division.

They play host to Bamber Bridge and Blyth Spartans respectively, with the Brig looking to build momentum after a win and a draw from their last two games, and Spartans five points adrift at the foot of the table.

With adverse weather expected to hit the UK this weekend, please follow your respective club's social media channels for any fixture updates and postponements.

Fixtures - Saturday 7 December

• Guiseley vs Whitby Town
• Hebburn Town vs Morpeth Town
• Ilkeston Town vs Worksop Town
• Leek Town vs Hyde United
• Matlock Town vs Ashton United
• Prescot Cables vs Bamber Bridge
• Workington vs Blyth Spartans

Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.