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Defeat would be a huge setback, especially with in-form Lincoln City next, and league leaders Peterborough after that.
Barnet are beatable, no question. But with Notts having such an appalling record of just two wins in fifteen - both against a Chester City outfit in freefall - who is to say that Barnet can't take the points.
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Team news
Notts - Russell Hoult is available despite going back to Stoke City to cover for a goalkeeping crisis at the Britannia Stadium earlier in the week. Lawrie Dudfield is another who is available despite a broken wrist. Kevin Pilkington, Lee Canoville and Tim Sandercombe are out, while Gavin Strachan could face a late fitness check. Myles Weston is doubtful.
Barnet - Top goalscorer Jason Puncheon is out after being sent off in their midweek defeat to Peterborough.
Form guide
Notts - No wins in two, one in eight, and just two in fifteen means Notts are rightly embroiled in a fierce League Two relegation battle. The Magpies have won just one of their last seven home games, and are 21st in the table, just four points above the drop zone.
Barnet - The Bees are also in bad form, which is why this is a six pointer as they sit in 19th place, just four points above Notts. The Bees have lost six of their last seven, and have been average away from home. Overall on their travels, they have won five, drew three and lost seven.
Last time out
Barnet 1-1 Notts County, Tuesday November 6, 2007
Once again Richard Butcher earnt Notts a cruical point with a second half equaliser at Underhill.
Butcher's strike was rather fortuitous on a cold winter night, as his attempted cross swerved towards goal and Bees keeper Lee Harrison allowed his shot to slip between his fingers and into the goal.
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Puncheon had given the hosts the lead after 39 minutes with a cracking drive from outside the area in a scrappy but even first half.
McParland's Notts were two unbeaten going into the fixture and fought hard after the break to get even, with Butcher's strike coming shortly after the interval on 49 minutes.
Butcher went closest to a winner, forcing a fine save out of Harrison soon after.
Key men
Notts - Butcher's goals have earnt Notts a precious eight points this season and it should have been more.
The midfielder has had a fine individual season, wioth eleven goals from
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With a decent front pairing in Danny Crow and Ryan Jarvis now in place, the onus is less on him which means he is probably more likely to pop up with a goal.
His surge saw Jarvis open his Notts tally against Bradford, and he is always Notts' most dangerous and likely match winner.
He will be again on Saturday.
Barnet - Captain Ismail Yakubu is the rock on which Barnet's side is built on, and in the absence of Puncheon he is likely to be needed even more.
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The youngster has been at Underhill for nearly ten years already and is a lynchpin at the heart of their defence.
He is always likely to pop up with a goal too, and will be a key part of their away day approach with Paul Fairclough likely to tell his side to play on the counter attack.
Him stopping Crow and Jarvis could be key.
Big battle
Michael Johnson is back at the Lane and showed his class after coming off the bench for Notts at Macclesfield last week. He will be an influential
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He should figure and his duel with Cliff Akurang could be fascinating.
Akurang was performing in the Blue Square North earlier in the season, and indeed has played at Meadow Lane already this season as part of the Histon side defeated 3-0 in the FA Cup, while Johnson was swanning his stuff in the Premiership against the likes of Steven Gerrard.
But Akurang's determination to prove himself in league
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His experience is going to be a major help in the run in, and he must get the better of Akurang's pace, power and guts here.
Likely line-ups
Notts - (4-4-2) - Russell Hoult; Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson, Paul Mayo; Ali Gibb, Richard Butcher, Jay Smith, Myles Weston; Danny Crow, Ryan Jarvis.
Barnet - (4-4-2) - Rob Beckwith; Joe Devera, Ismail Yakubu, Sagi Burton, Kenny Gillet; Neal Bishop, Albert Adomah, Josh Wright, Nicky Nicolau; Cliff Akurang, Adam Birchall.
Prediction
A comfortable Notts win. 2-0.