Football – England – Conference Premier
Saturday 18th October 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
South coast club Eastleigh returned to winning ways in emphatic style last Saturday when they dealt out a heavy 4-1 defeat to fifth placed Halifax Town at their Silverlake Stadium and they’ll be looking for more of the same this afternoon with the visit of lowly Nuneaton Town.
Eastleigh had previously slumped to three league matches without a win with defeats against Wrexham and Barnet, but both of these were away from home, while their point against Bristol Rovers in a home 1-1 draw would have been considered a good result for The Spitfires in this their first season at this level.
Eastleigh hold a good record on home turf with overall stats of 5-3-0 16/8 and they hold a very creditable mid-table position going into today’s match. But manager Ricky Hill will be aware that their form on the road may eventually put pressure on them when playing at home.
After a solid campaign last term which saw Nuneaton Town eventually finish in mid-table, the midlands club has been the subject of a few turbulent months with various managers trying their hand at the tiller since Kevin Wilkin departed; Noon, Reid and now former Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish has thrown his hat into the ‘three circus’ ring and I fear for their safety this campaign.
Nuneaton registered a couple of rare wins, indeed back-to-back victories over Lincoln City and Dover Athletic recently, but both of these were on home soil but their major concern right now is their form on their travels.
They are currently 0-1-7 2/16 on the road and are still yet to register an away win, along with just AFC Telford who sit rock-bottom of the Conference – hopefully not an omen for them. A point at Grimsby Town was an encouraging start for them, but sadly that prompted a miserable run of seven straight away defeats and I can’t see them halting this run at free-scoring Eastleigh today.
Eastleigh are capable of scoring goals and I expect them to return to winning ways here today with the likes of Fleetwood, Strevens and midfielder Reason in support, they should have too much for Nuneaton this afternoon. A 3-1 home win perhaps for The Spitfires.
Pick: Eastleigh AH-1 @ 1.92 Bet Victor
