Boreham Wood welcome AFC Fylde to Meadow Park on Saturday with Luke Garrard’s side setting the early National League pace. The Wood are unbeaten through 13 league matches, have opened up a seven-point lead at the summit and have been scoring freely in front of their own supporters.
Fylde arrive seventh and firmly in the play-off picture after an encouraging return to the fifth tier. Craig Mahon’s side have won five of seven league trips, so this is not a routine home assignment, but their recent defeat at Southend showed the defensive limits that can be exposed away from Mill Farm.
Boreham Wood have followed their league form with cup wins over Woking and Middlesbrough U21, scoring 10 goals across those two matches. Their attacking rotation is working well, with Danny Cashman, Jay Bird, Ben Whitfield, Tarryn Allarakhia and Conor Wilkinson all giving Garrard different ways to hurt opponents.
FreeOddsTips’ prediction is Boreham Wood Asian Handicap -1.5 at 2.08. Fylde have enough attacking quality to make this competitive for periods, but the league leaders have repeatedly turned home control into multi-goal wins and have the depth to maintain their intensity.
Boreham Wood’s home league record is five wins and one draw, with at least two goals scored in every match at Meadow Park. Their 4-3-3 can become very aggressive when Zak Brunt and Regan Booty establish control in midfield, while Whitfield, Cashman and the central striker rotate positions around the box. Brunt’s delivery also gives the hosts a genuine edge at corners and free-kicks.
Fylde’s 4-1-4-1 structure has produced some strong away performances, particularly when Aaron Drewe and Will Lancaster can support the wide players. Tom Whelan is vital to their progression and Cedric Main’s return from injury adds a sharper penalty-box option. Yet Fylde conceded three at Southend and now face a Boreham Wood side averaging nearly three goals across their last 10 competitive matches.
The recall of goalkeeper Luca Gunter means Ted Curd is expected to return for Boreham Wood, while Fylde should have their regular league goalkeeper Zac Jones and captain Corey Whelan available after cup rotation. The visitors can threaten in transition, but Boreham Wood’s pressure, wide combinations and set-piece threat give them the stronger route to a decisive margin.
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Boreham Wood have made Meadow Park a difficult place to escape with a result. They have won five of six home league matches, scored 17 times there and recorded four home league wins by at least two goals. Their front line has remained productive despite rotation through the recent cup ties.
The Wood can build attacks through Brunt and Booty, stretch the pitch with Whitfield and Allarakhia, and carry a serious threat from dead balls. That combination is well suited to facing a Fylde side whose full-backs are encouraged to advance and whose most recent away league game ended in a 3-1 loss at Southend.
Fylde's five away wins mean the straight home win alone is not enough of a case for a heavy stake. However, Boreham Wood's current standard, scoring depth and repeated home margins make the -1.5 line at 2.08 the preferred route.
Newest match first.
| Statistic | Boreham Wood | AFC Fylde |
|---|---|---|
| Avg goals scored | 2.90 | 1.80 |
| Avg goals conceded | 0.90 | 1.20 |
| Scored 0 goals | 0/10 | 1/10 |
| Scored 1 goal | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Scored 2 goals | 2/10 | 4/10 |
| Scored 3+ goals | 6/10 | 2/10 |
| Conceded 0 goals | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Conceded 1 goal | 7/10 | 3/10 |
| Conceded 2 goals | 1/10 | 3/10 |
| Conceded 3+ goals | 0/10 | 1/10 |
| Statistic | Boreham Wood | AFC Fylde |
|---|---|---|
| BTTS — Yes | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| BTTS — No | 2/10 | 4/10 |
Half-time data unavailable.
| Statistic | Boreham Wood | AFC Fylde |
|---|---|---|
| Clean sheets | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Failed to keep a clean sheet | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Newest match first.
How both teams have been performing.
Boreham Wood's 8-2-0 run in all competitions reflects more than a sequence of narrow results. They have scored 29 goals in those 10 matches and have repeatedly taken control early enough to create clear winning margins.
Their league home form is especially strong: five wins and one draw, 17 goals scored and at least two goals in each fixture. The only qualification is a lack of a home league clean sheet, which leaves room for Fylde to contribute.
Fylde have made an impressive start following promotion and their five league away wins underline that they are comfortable playing on the front foot away from home. The wins at Yeovil, Harrogate and Boston were particularly useful markers.
There is more volatility in their defensive record than their league position alone suggests. Fylde lost 3-1 at Southend and 2-0 at home to Carlisle before beating Scunthorpe, so Mahon's side must improve on those displays to stay with the leaders.
Latest squad information before kick-off.
Luca Gunter is unavailable after Tottenham recalled the goalkeeper on 22 October. Ted Curd, who started the recent league win at Sutton and the FA Cup win over Woking, is expected to take the gloves.
Callum Reynolds and Matt Rush are nearing full fitness, although neither is certain to start. No current Boreham Wood suspension was identified. Garrard made five changes for the National League Cup win over Middlesbrough U21, so several regular league players should be fresh.
Cedric Main has returned from injury in excellent fashion, scoring a hat-trick on his first start back against Atherton Collieries. Ethan Mitchell also returned as a substitute in that cup tie, though his readiness to start is unclear.
Mahon rested regulars including Zac Jones, Corey Whelan, Chris Merrie and Danny Mayor in the FA Cup. Luke McCormick and Kyrell Malcolm made their debuts and are available. No reliable current suspension has been reported.
Boreham Wood are expected to use their familiar 4-3-3 shape, with Brunt and Booty central to their passing and counter-pressing. The movement of Cashman and Whitfield around Wilkinson can pull centre-backs out of position, while Bush and the other aerial defenders offer a further threat from Brunt's set pieces.
Fylde have recently operated in a 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1 league structure. Their full-backs can provide attacking width, as Lancaster's low cross for Drewe's goal against Scunthorpe demonstrated, but those forward runs can leave space for Boreham Wood's wide attackers to attack after turnovers.
Tom Whelan's ability to receive and move the ball through midfield is central to Fylde's chance of breaking Boreham Wood's pressure. If the hosts pin Fylde back and win repeated set pieces, their stronger attacking depth should become more telling as the game develops.
Previous meetings between the two teams.
Projected starting lineups for both teams.
Boreham Wood expected XI (4-3-3)
AFC Fylde expected XI (4-1-4-1)
Players who could have an important influence on the match.
Has scored in four successive competitive appearances, including two against Middlesbrough U21.
Supplies creativity and dangerous set-piece delivery from central areas.
September's National League Player of the Month gives Boreham Wood a high-quality wide outlet.
Aerial threat at both ends and a recent scorer from Brunt corners.
Gives the attack a physical focal point and won the penalty in the latest cup match.
Announced his return from injury with a hat-trick against Atherton Collieries.
Fylde's main tempo-setter and the creator of Luca Thomas's cup goal.
An experienced attacking option who scored in league wins over Boston and Scunthorpe.
The captain anchors Fylde's regular league defence.
Offers an extra attacking runner and scored against Scunthorpe.
What the recent numbers suggest about the matchup.
Boreham Wood's numbers point firmly towards goals and home control. They have scored 29 times across their last 10 competitive matches, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in eight of them. Their six home league matches have produced 17 goals for the Wood, and every one has featured at least two home goals.
Fylde have also been productive, scoring 18 goals in their last 10 league fixtures and winning five of seven away games. Yet they have conceded 10 goals on those trips, while Boreham Wood's sustained scoring rate makes a narrow home win less appealing than a handicap position.
The one note of caution is that Boreham Wood have not kept a home league clean sheet this season. That supports an alternative look at Over 2.5 Goals, but does not weaken the case for the hosts to win by two if their attacking rhythm continues.
Boreham Wood have been the National League's standout side through the opening 13 rounds and have combined their league leadership with a productive cup run. Their home scoring record, depth across the forward line and set-piece threat make them difficult opponents for any visiting side.
Fylde deserve respect after a strong start and their away record shows they can land punches on the road. But Boreham Wood have a higher attacking ceiling and should create enough pressure to pull clear. Boreham Wood Asian Handicap -1.5 is the selection at 2.08.
The FreeOddsTips prediction is Boreham Wood Asian Handicap -1.5 at 2.08.
Boreham Wood Asian Handicap -1.5 is the best bet.
The National League match is scheduled for Saturday 24 October 2026, with a 3pm kickoff.
The match is being played at Meadow Park in Borehamwood.
Danny Cashman is in excellent scoring form after adding two goals in the 7-1 National League Cup win over Middlesbrough U21.
More match previews and predictions from FreeOddsTips.
