NPL preview | Thursday 26 December

Despite falling to defeat on Saturday, Gainsborough Trinity are still the form team going into the round, with five wins in their last six.

Russ Wilcox’s side will be looking to avoid a second straight defeat as they host Guiseley.

The Lions come into this one on a 12-game unbeaten run in the league, albeit with four draws in their last five.

Stockton Town and Hebburn Town meet in the first north-east derby between the pair this season.

Despite being newly promoted this season, both sides have endured a solid first half of the campaign and find themselves on the periphery of the play-offs.

Both rivals will be eager not only to secure derby bragging rights, but also put more pressure on the top five heading into the new year.

League leaders Macclesfield will be aiming to continue their fine form heading into the second half of the season as they take on Leek Town.

Leek picked up a vital 4-1 win over Basford United on Saturday, but they will have their work cut out if they want to make it two in a row, against a Macclesfield side that have tasted defeat just once in 22 league games.

Matlock Town and Ilkeston Town, two of the top five form sides over the last six games, go head-to-head at the Proctor Cars Stadium.

Ryan Cresswell’s side come into this one well-rested after not being in action at the weekend, and the Gladiators can climb as high as 11th with a win over the play-off-chasing Robins.

Ilkeston, meanwhile, can climb into the top two if they manage to secure a fifth win in six league games.

Towards the foot of the table, Blyth Spartans’ search for their first win under Michael Connor continues as they host Whitby Town.

Mickleover are also in need of a win, after picking up their 10th loss in 11 league games at the weekend.

Gareth Holmes’ side have the difficult task of beating high-flyers Ashton United, who have lost just once in their last eight matches.

Elsewhere, FC United of Manchester will be looking for their second league victory of the season at Broadhurst Park when they take on Prescot Cables.

Cables are without a win since October 26 and will be aiming to turn their recent run of four straight draws into a vital three points.

Warrington Rylands welcome sixth-placed Hyde United to the Hive Arena.

Just two defeats in their last 10 have seen Neil Reynolds’ side climb out of the bottom four. They’ll be looking to extend Hyde’s winless run to five games, with a win which could see them move a little further clear of the bottom four. 

Lancaster City will be searching for a first win in five when they travel to the SFC Stadium to take on Bamber Bridge.

And Morpeth Town will be hoping to build on a big win last time out against Gainsborough Trinity when they travel to Workington.

The final game of the round takes place two days later than the rest, on Saturday 28 December. 

Basford United, who are keen to end a four-game losing run, face a Worksop Town side that have lost just one of their last six league games and could climb to second with a win. 

All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless otherwise stated.

Fixtures - Thursday 26 December

• Stockton Town vs Hebburn Town (13:00 KO)
• Bamber Bridge vs Lancaster City
• Blyth Spartans vs Whitby Town
• FC United of Manchester vs Prescot Cables
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Guiseley
• Macclesfield vs Leek Town
• Matlock Town vs Ilkeston Town
• Mickleover vs Ashton United
• Warrington Rylands vs Hyde United
• Workington vs Morpeth Town

Fixtures - Saturday 28 December

• Basford United vs Worksop Town

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