Preview: Barnet vs. Yeovil Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Dean Brennan's side sit in the league's playoff quarter-final positions, while the visiting Glovers could move eight points clear of the heavily-congested relegation zone.

Match preview

Barnet currently occupy fifth position in the National League standings after a morale-boosting start their fifth successive season outside of the Football League.

Brennan's side have been in impressive form throughout the first half of the season registering 12 victories from 24 matches, but have been more impressive against the familiar backdrop of The Hive Stadium after accumulating a tally of 26 points from a possible 39 on offer.

The Bees are currently undefeated in their last six matches across all competitions, on the back of progressing to the fifth round of the FA Trophy following a 2-0 away success over Solihull Moors at Damson Park on Saturday.

Aspiring to return to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 2018, Barnet have, however, experienced a frustrating commencement to their 2023 league schedule.

The capital-based outfit started the new footballing calendar year with a 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood on January 2 before needing an 88th-minute equaliser five days later from Nicke Kabamba to salvage a late share of the spoils against Gateshead.

Late strikes will, therefore, surely be on the mind of their visitors on Tuesday evening, with 34% of The Bees' league goals coming in the final quarter-hour of matches this season.

Yeovil Town have struggled at the same end of the field, netting a National League-low 21 times.

While Mark Cooper's side have had their troubles in the final third, it is notable that The Glovers do possess the division's third-best defensive record after conceding only 26 goals across 25 matches.

Two victories across their last five matches would have buoyed confidence within the camp, but it is worth noting that the Somerset-based fan base are yet to savour the taste of three away points on their football palates this campaign.

With Scunthorpe United the only other side not to have registered an away win, it does not take a fly on the wall within the Yeovil dressing room to know that the visitors will want to bring a welcoming conclusion to that unwanted narrative come 10pm on Tuesday.

Matt Worthington and Jordan Maguire-Drew will undoubtedly be integral to The Glovers' mission in North London after the pair found the back of the net in their 2-0 victory over Torquay United on January 1.

Worthington and Maguire-Drew will, however, take their place on the Yeovil team coach for the second time across four days in moderately damned spirits, compared to on New Year's Day, following a 4-1 defeat at Bromley on Saturday.

Barnet National League form:

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Barnet form (all competitions):

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Yeovil Town National League form:

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Team News

Having already hit the back of the net 13 times this season, Barnet's top scorer Nicke Kabamba will again lead the hosts' line alongside Idris Kanu.

Midfield maestro Harry Pritchard will be one of the first names on manager Dean Brennan's team sheet, alongside the aforementioned Kabamba and Kanu, in the wake of his impressive contribution of eight goals from midfield this season.

Despite dropping points in their last two league matches, it would be a surprise if Brennan made many alterations to his side for the visit of Yeovil Town to The Hive Stadium.

However, Glovers boss Mark Cooper could change his starting XI, with none of his players currently among the leading 20 goalscorers in the National League.

With that in mind, joint-league top scorer Malachi Linton could be recalled to the starting XI in place of Alex Fisher or Jordan Maguire-Drew after coming off the bench against Bromley.

Barnet possible starting lineup:

Walker; Beard, Annesley, Okimo, Collinge, Wynter; De Havilland, Gorman, Pritchard; Kanu, Kabamba

Yeovil Town possible starting lineup:

Smith; Hunt, Bevan, Reckord, Williams; Staunton, Andrews, Clark, Worthington; Linton, Maguire-Drew

We say: Barnet 3-1 Yeovil Town

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