Football – England – Conference Premier
Saturday 1st November 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Eastleigh seem to have got over their mini slump in form recently where they went three league matches without a win, as they’ve posted back-to-back Conference wins over Halifax Town 4-1 and Nuneaton Town 2-1 both at their Silverlake Stadium.
Eastleigh have enjoyed a pretty successful start to their first campaign in the non-league top flight as they currently occupy a respectable mid-table position. Indeed, The Spitfires could have, and did, in fact hold a much higher league position earlier in the season, but their away form has held them back from making a challenge on the top five.
Nevertheless, their form at the Silverlake Stadium has been impressive where they hold a record of 6-3-0 18/9 and still remain unbeaten on home turf. In addition, Eastleigh have scored in every home match so far and it’s hardly surprising given the attacking resources open to manager Ricky Hill – personnel such as Fleetwood, Constable, Strevens and Odubade are all capable of finding the back of the net.
Visitors Chester City also find themselves in a mid-table position just two league places and three points adrift of their hosts today, and their form has improved in recent weeks as they’ve suffered just one defeat from their last five matches.
That defeat was a 0-2 loss away at Dartford, but aside form that, chester have registered wins over AFC Telford away and home wins over Aldershot Town and Alfreton Town along with a point at home with Welling United.
However, Chester’s overall away record stands at 2-1-5 9/14 and they’ve won just once on the road in their last six which was the win at bottom club Telford United a couple of weeks ago. But with just one clean sheet from their last thirteen away matches in the Conference, it looks likely they’ll be playing ‘catch up’ with Eastleigh today.
Eastleigh’s strong home form should secure all three points this afternoon, but given Chester’s recent upturn in form, I’ll give the quarter ball on the hosts here who could end up winning this 2-1 anyway.
Pick: Eastleigh AH-0.25 @ 1.65 bet365 looks a solid price
