North Wales football Boxing Day previews

Boxing Day fixtures – Cymru Premier
Thursday, December 26 (2.30 pm kick-offs unless stated)

Barry Town United v Cardiff Met University
Caernarfon Town v Bala Town (5.15 pm)
Carmarthen Town v Penybont
Cefn Druids v The New Saints
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Airbus UK Broughton
Newtown v Aberystwyth Town

PREVIEWS

Caernarfon Town v Bala Town (5.15 pm)

Just one place and two points separates these two rivals in the Cymru Premier top six.
Bala are in third position while the Canaries lie fourth but have a game in hand on the Lakesiders.
The Cofis did well against Colin Caton’s side last season – Sean Eardley’s men picking up seven points out of 12 from four matches in their first campaign back in the top flight after a 10-year absence.
On Boxing Day, Caernarfon will aim to make it five straight wins in all competitions and preserve their unbeaten home record in the CP which stretches to nine games.
Bala possess the CP’s current top-scorer in 15-goal Chris Venables.
Last season (2018-19)
Caernarfon Town 2 Bala Town 2; Caernarfon Town 1 Bala Town 0; Bala Town 1 Caernarfon Town 3; Bala Town 1 Caernarfon Town 0.

Cefn Druids v The New Saints (2.30 pm)

After 18 rounds of matches, champions The New Saints may be top of the table but their lead is just a point.
TNS have dazzled at times this term but on other occasions been below par, such as last weekend when they were unexpectedly beaten 2-1 at home by Cardiff Met.
Druids have been in marvellous form, taking 16 points out of a possible last 21 and lying sixth in the standings.
Huw Griffiths’ side were surprisingly held at a struggling Airbus last Saturday, but should give the title-holders quite a test at The Rock.
History is against Cefn. Of 27 previous meetings with Saints, they have won just two with the full-timers triumphant in the other 25. The fixture has never produced a draw.

Connah’s Quay Nomads v Airbus UK Broughton (2.30 pm)

This will be the 25th Cymru Premier meeting between this pair and the stats could hardly be closer.
Both teams have nine wins apiece with six games ending in draws. Nomads have netted 39 goals overall and Airbus 38.
Whereas the stats are tight, the current respective league positions of the north east Wales rivals are in stark contrast.
Nomads are second, undefeated at home and just a point behind leaders TNS, while the Wingmakers are third bottom, with the least goals scored, the most conceded and the poorest goal difference.
Nonetheless, after six straight league losses, the Broughton men did stop the rot last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Cefn Druids.