Preview: Solihull Moors vs. Aldershot Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Solihull head into the match still in the top half of the table despite losing three successive games, while Aldershot are only four points clear of safety having been defeated in each of their last four matches.

Match preview

Having missed out on promotion to League Two for the first time in their history via the play-offs in two of the last four campaigns, Solihull appear to have a major job on their hands in terms of giving themselves that opportunity once again this time around.

Neal Ardley's side have gained just five points from their last nine league games, falling to 12th in the table ahead of their midweek match against Aldershot at Damson Park.

Successive defeats to automatic promotion contenders Wrexham across the Christmas period were perhaps to be expected, but their 3-0 defeat to play-off rivals Southend United last time out in the National League was a major blow, with their opponents and Dagenham & Redbridge both moving five points clear of them in the last two play-off spots.

Eardley - who previously achieved play-off success in his fist managerial role with AFC Wimbledon in League Two - may not be too concerned by their 2-0 defeat to Barnet in the FA Trophy at the weekend providing they can bounce back with a win on Tuesday, as their poor form simply must end soon if they are to avoid being cut adrift in mid-table obscurity.

Aldershot, meanwhile, have been flirting with relegation from the National League in recent seasons, finishing 21st in 2018-19 and 20th at the end of the last campaign.

Despite replacing Mark Molesley with Ross McNeilly in their managerial dugout in recent months, little appears to have changed this time around, with four consecutive league defeats leaving them only four points clear of the dreaded dotted lines in the table.

McNeilley may argue that his team were not expected to win any of those games against four teams currently occupying spots in the National League's top seven, while they have comfortably beaten Welling United and Leiston in the FA Trophy either side of their poor league form.

The Shots will almost certainly head to the Midlands as underdogs once more on Tuesday evening, but they must pick up positive results quickly, otherwise the likes of Gateshead and Torquay United in the relegation places will make up ground on them sooner or later.

Solihull Moors National League form:

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Solihull Moors form (all competitions):

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Aldershot Town National League form:

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Team News

Ardley will be hoping for a major reaction from his players after their poor run of form of late, with Andrew Dallas hoping to end his recent goalscoring drought.

Despite only being one goal away from hitting double figures in the National League this season, the 23-year-old has not bagged since his side's 2-1 win against Oldham Athletic more than one month ago.

Aldershot, meanwhile, have a sharp shooter of their own in the form of Inih Effiong, who bagged a brace in their 4-1 win against Leiston on Saturday.

The 31-year-old journeyman, who scored 13 goals in 40 league games for Woking last season, is performing to a much more prolific rate this season and would move onto double figures in the National League with another brace on Tuesday.

Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:

Boot; Clarke, Howe, Gudger, Coker; Jones, Maycock; Dallas, Barnett, Donawa; Kelly

Aldershot Town possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Davies, Jordan, Cordner, Harfield; Partington, Pendlebury; Glover, Amaluzor, Panaylotou; Offiong

We say: Solihull Moors 1-1 Aldershot Town

With both teams heading into this match on a losing streak, we would not be surprised to see both managers settle for a point apiece should the match be going towards that direction.

Although Solihull desperately need three points to make up ground on the play-off positions, they may need to learn how to walk before they can run again.

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