Preview: Solihull Moors vs. Oldham Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts currently occupy a place in the playoff spots, while Oldham are sat in the relegation zone, four points from safety.

Match preview

Solihull have dropped down the National League table in recent weeks after a poor run of form, and just to add insult to injury, they were also dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Hartlepool United during that period.

Without a victory in seven matches in all competitions, Neal Ardley's side have been forced to look over their shoulder in 7th, instead of eyeing up a position in the top three.

A 2-0 defeat away to Chesterfield last time out marked Solihull's third consecutive defeat in the league, as well as the fourth straight game in which the Moors failed to find the back of the net.

Joe Quigley and Bailey Clements struck to give the Spireites a fourth consecutive league win, as the visitors slipped to another defeat on the road.

Ardley will know his side need a change in fortunes to take all three points on Saturday, but they will fancy their chances against an Oldham side hovering around the relegation zone.

Oldham are currently four points from safety, and after a decade of battling relegation in League One and League Two, some fans may have imagined that the drop down to the fifth tier of English football would see their side involved in affairs at the higher end of the table for a change, but unfortunately that theory could not be further from reality at the moment.

The Latics did manage to pick up what could turn out to be a crucial point away at Maidstone United last time out, and despite being unable to find a way to goal, David Unsworth will take encouragement from the overall performance which saw his side control large periods of the game.

However, prior to the draw at the Gallagher Stadium, three consecutive league defeats accompanied with an FA Cup exit at the hands of Wrexham in the last four has not suggested anything other than that Oldham face a genuine fight to avoid playing regional football next term.

A win at Solihull would be Oldham's first on the road this season, with Unsworth's side drawing four times and losing five in nine away league matches so far this campaign - the joint-worst record in the division.

Solihull Moors National League form:

W

D

D

L

L

L

Solihull Moors form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

L

L

Oldham Athletic National League form:

D

W

L

L

L

D

Oldham Athletic form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

D

Team News

Despite trudging off on his return from injury against Hartlepool, Jamey Osborne was fit enough for a starting role in the midfield against Chesterfield, so he could retain his place in the side this weekend.

Ben Coker and Callum Maycock, however, remain absent for this one through illness and injury respectively. Fiacre Kelleher will also be unavailable to play in this game as he is suspended.

As for the visitors, Ellis Chapman made his debut for the Latics last time out following his loan move from Cheltenham Town, while Alex Reid could make his Oldham debut against his former club this weekend after his release from Stockport County.

However, Timmy Abraham and Sydie Peck were arguably the brightest performers in Oldham's display against Maidstone, so they may find themselves in the starting XI once more here.

Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:

Boot; Clarke, Jones, Kelleher, Dallas; Storer, Whelan; Sbarra, Osborne, Barnett; Whelan

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:

Norman; Clarke, Maynard, Hogan; Kitchen, Peck, Rooney, Sheron; Abraham, Tollit, Hope

We say: Solihull Moors 2-0 Oldham Athletic

Both sides are on a poor run of form, but Solihull's quality should prevail in this game.

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