The Town boss is confident that, after a successful spying mission on Darlington led to three points against the Quakers in midweek, he has identified the weaknesses of a Burton Albion side with play-off ambitions of their own.
Sampson's men are o
n an unbeaten run of eight games that stretches back to December 1 and has taken the squad to within four points of the Coca-Cola League Two top seven. And the boss is confident he can mastermind a ninth match without defeat.
"Darlington played really well when I went to see them play Rotherham a week ago, they looked quite dangerous that night," said Sampson, who was in the dug-out when Town lost 3-2 at Burton in August on an afternoon when the voices of dissent against then-manager Stuart Gray were heard for the first time.
"But we identified a few areas where we thought we could get at them and I've done the same with Burton Albion as well.
"We didn't capitalise on it as well as we could have done against Darlington but we got the result so that was pleasing."
And he added: "It'll be a tough game against Burton because they are a decent side. They are very hard working and it will be another test for us.
"As well as that, we feel we've got a bit of a score to settle with them after what happened at their place earlier in the season. Individual errors cost us that day. We seem to have eliminated a lot of them recently so we're confident we can get another result."
Northampton should be unchanged for the game, with just a slight doubt over the fitness of Ryan Gilligan, who picked up a mild groin strain at Darlington.
