Notts County will be bidding to make it five straight victories in the National League when they continue their campaign at home to Maidstone United on Friday night.

The hosts are currently top of the table, one point clear of second-placed Wrexham, while Maidstone occupy 21st position, having only picked up 12 points from their first 13 matches of the season.

Match preview

Notts County finished fifth in the National League last season, losing to Grimsby Town in the quarter-finals of the playoffs, but they are currently at the top of the table.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, three draws and one defeat from 13 matches has seen them collect 30 points, which is enough to top the division at this stage, one point clear of second-placed Wrexham.

The Magpies have been victorious in each of their last four league games, overcoming York City, Altrincham, Wrexham and Woking since the 3-1 loss at Dorking Wanderers in the middle of September.

Notts County will enter this match off the back of a shock defeat, though, losing 3-2 at home to Coalville Town in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Luke Williams's side will be desperate to put the defeat behind them as they return to league action, and a victory here would allow them to move four points clear of Wrexham, albeit having played a game more.

Maidstone, meanwhile, also suffered a surprising FA Cup loss at the weekend, going down 1-0 to Needham Market, who play their league football in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Stones head coach Hakan Hayrettin called the defeat "absolutely disgraceful" and insisted that the supporters "deserved better", so the 52-year-old will be demanding a response from his players here.

Maidstone, who are the reigning National League South champions, have won three, drawn three and lost seven of their 13 National League matches during the 2022-23 campaign.

A total of 12 points has left them in 21st position in the table, but it is tight in the bottom half of the division, with only six points separating Scunthorpe United in 23rd to Southend United in 12th.

Hayrettin's side managed to hold Halifax Town to a 1-1 draw in their last league match on October 8, but they have not been victorious in the National League since a 3-1 win at Aldershot Town at the end of August.

Team News

Notts County head coach Williams could select the same starting XI that took to the field for the 3-2 victory over Woking in Surrey on October 8.

Cedwyn Scott scored twice during a strong performance and is expected to be joined by Ruben Rodrigues and Macaulay Langstaff in the final third of the field.

There were wholesale changes for the FA Cup clash with Coalville Town on Saturday, but the majority are expected to drop out for this match, with Williams set to revert to his trusted side in the league.

As for Maidstone, head coach Hayrettin will be hoping to name the same side that put in an improved performance against Halifax in the league on October 8.

The Stones had a relatively strong XI on the field against Needham Market in the FA Cup, but there will be alterations here, with James Alabi, who has found the back of the net on two occasions in the league this season, among those set to return.

Jack Barham has three to his name in the league this term, meanwhile, and he should also start in attack.

Notts County possible starting lineup:
Slocombe; Chicksen, Rawlinson, Brindley, Cameron; Bajrami, Palmer, Nemane; Langstaff, Rodrigues, Scott

Maidstone United possible starting lineup:
Mersin; Hoyte, Ellul, Barkers, Galvin; Mensah, Deacon, Corne, Booty; Alabi, Barham

We say: Notts County 2-0 Maidstone United

Maidstone's fans will be demanding a response from their side following the disappointing FA Cup result last time out, but it is really difficult to look past Notts County here considering their impressive form in the league, so we are expecting a relatively comfortable home success.

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