Royals vs University of Nottingham - PREVIEW

Royals vs University of Nottingham - 31/01/2016, 13:00 K.O, The Moors Playing Field, WR1 3ED.

Follow the match LIVE on Twitter (@worcesterroyals,) Facebook and Snapchat (WorcesterRoyals.)

Entry is free!

Royals football returns to Worcester for the first time in 2016 this Sunday when they host division rivals University of Nottingham. The highly anticipated match up holds massive playoff implications for both sides, and with the recent history of this fixture the encounter is going to be competitive and aggressive.

In November of 2013 the Royals toppled the University of Nottingham for their first ever league win, ending a long run of consecutive losses, proving to be the catalyst for their success in the years that followed. The history that surrounds this game makes it one of biggest in the Royals calendar and they will be looking for more success this time around.

KEYS TO VICTORY

Worcester are going to need to put in a near perfect performance this weekend to add the win and keep their playoff hopes alive. With injuries on both sides of the ball it’s a next man up mentality and they will be itching to prove that they’re worthy of their chance to impress.

The pitch is always a point of concern for travelling teams with the undulating, and usually soggy terrain of the Moors, creates one of the best home field advantages in University football. But Worcester cannot rely on their home turf winning the game for them, production on offense and stinginess on defence are going to be a necessity, especially against a Nottingham side who have had no problem getting the ball into the endzone.

THE OPPONENTS

University of Nottingham’s American Football program has gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons, as they look to close the gap on their cross city rivals Nottingham Trent Renegades.

They, like the Royals, currently have two wins to their name both coming against Staffordshire. However the narrow losses to Warwick and NTU were not what this side were hoping for and now they really have to win the remainder of their games to salvage their season, and get this campaign back on track.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?

Looking to avenge the defeat of the season before Nottingham travelled to Worcester in 2014 seeking revenge. They outclassed Worcester that day, overcoming the Moors mud, rallying to a convincing 28 - 12 victory.

WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?

If Worcester can continue the production showed against Staffordshire and Warwick earlier in the season then they’ll be right there for the fight and can definitely achieve victory. The team has every confidence in themselves that they can topple their visitors, knowing that only a win will keep their playoff dreams going.