Preview: Altrincham vs. Eastleigh - prediction, team news, lineups

Lee Bradbury's men head into the weekend on a run of eight consecutive away without a win in the league and will be looking to end this poor spell.

Match preview

Altrincham continue to struggle for form away from home in the National League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Woking when the sides squared off at the Kingfield Stadium last Saturday.

Following a goalless first half, the game sparked to life three minutes after the restart when Elliot Newby put the visitors ahead but substitute Padraig Amond struck in the first minute of stoppage time to force a share of the spoils.

Altrincham have now failed to win nine of their 10 away games in the league this season — losing five and claiming four draws — with a 3-1 victory at Gateshead on October 4 being the only exception.

Prior to last weekend's draw, Phil Parkinson's men ended their three-game losing streak on November 12, when they fought back from behind to claim a 2-1 win over York City courtesy of second-half goals from Newby and Ryan Colclough.

Altrincham, who head into the weekend on a run of four wins from their last six home matches, are currently 17th in the National League table, level on 22 points with 16th-placed Dorking Wanderers.

Eastleigh, on the other hand, were left empty handed once again as they suffered a 2-1 loss against Maidenhead United when the sides met at the York Road Stadium last Saturday.

In that encounter, Emile Acquah and Charlie Carter scored for either side to end the first half all square before 22-year-old Reece Smith opened his account for the season with a 56th-minute strike to hand the hosts all three points.

Bradbury's side have now lost three of their last four matches across all competitions, including a somewhat disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Boreham Wood in the FA Cup first round on November 5.

Eastleigh have now picked up eight wins, four draws and lost eight of their 20 league matches to collect 28 points and sit 11th in the National League standings, two points off seventh-placed Solihull Moors in the final promotion playoff spot.

While the Spitfires will be looking to return to winning ways, they have struggled for results away from home, where they are currently on a four-match losing streak and have managed just two points from the last 24 available since August's 1-0 win at York City.

Altrincham National League form:

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L

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D

Eastleigh National League form:

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L

Eastleigh form (all competitions):

L

W

L

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L

Team News

New signing Newby found the back of the net for the second straight game last time out and the Stockport County loanee, who now has two goals in three matches, should retain his role in midfield this weekend.

The 27-year-old should join Isaac Marriott, Josh Lundstram and Chris Conn-Clarke at the centre of the park, while Connor Jennings and former Wigan Athletic forward Colclough should spearhead the attack for the fourth consecutive game.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Parkinson has no major reason to tinker with the four, meaning Lewis Baines, Toby Mullarkey, James Jones and Edward Jones could form the defence line, with 24-year-old Oliver Byrne between the sticks.

With his strike against Maidenhead United last weekend, Carter now has two goals in his last four matches and the 26-year-old forward will look to deliver the goods once again.

Ryan Hill has now failed to score in nine consecutive matches across all competitions and the English forward could drop to the substitutes' bench this weekend, with Oscar Rutherford pushing for a starting role.

Altrincham possible starting lineup:

Byrne; E Jones, J Jones, Mullarkey, Baines; Newby, Lundstram, Marriott, Conn-Clarke; Colclough, Jennings

Eastleigh possible starting lineup:

McDonnell; Oyenuga, Maghoma, Langston, Kelly; Mckiernan, Cisse, Carter; Rutherford, Whitehall, Lloyd

We say: Altrincham 2-1 Eastleigh

Looking at past results between Altrincham and Eastleigh, we expect an exciting contest with plenty of goalmouth action. Bradbury's side have struggled to perform on the road this season and we are tipping the Robins to do just enough to claim all three points in front of their home fans

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