The National League is back in action this weekend, with some crucial ties affecting either end of the table in a gameweek that’s impacted by the ongoing FA Trophy.
Due to the latest round of the competition taking place this weekend, there are just six National League matches for supporters to look ahead too, but they still have big impacts on either end.
Three of the top five clubs in the division are in action this weekend, whilst bottom side Ebbsfleet United are also involved as they aim to try and kickstart an extremely unlikely survival in the division.
Elsewhere, the round of sixteen for the FA Trophy is also taking place this weekend and you can read our preview for that here.
With that said, here is a closer look at what you can expect from this weekend’s National League matches…
Can Oldham end a six-match winless run?
Micky Mellon’s Oldham Athletic were within touching distance of the league leaders before Christmas, but are now winless in their last six games, riddled with injuries and are 15 points off top spot.
Standing in their way this weekend is a trip to relegation-threatened AFC Fylde who are also badly in need of a victory, knowing it would almost certainly take them out of the bottom four.
Between the two clubs, they have lost seven of their last ten matches – which is likely to make for a potentially nervy afternoon, knowing both teams need to win the game for their own respective reasons.
Prediction: AFC Fylde 1-2 Oldham Athletic
Pools continue to make a late play-off push
Hartlepool United have had a frustrating run of form of late, but they’ll make the trip down to Braintree Town this weekend knowing a victory could see them sit within a point of the play-offs.
However, a victory for Hartlepool will be far from straight forward given how strong Braintree Town have been in recent outings. The club are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning three on the spin.
A win for Braintree would see them potentially climb to eight points clear of the relegation zone, which should make for an exciting fixture this weekend.
Prediction: Braintree Town 1-1 Hartlepool United
Seventh heaven for the Shaymen?
FC Halifax Town are currently one of the form sides in the National League and they have the perfect opportunity to make it seven league matches unbeaten when they host bottom side Ebbsfleet United.
The Fleet lost their four-game unbeaten run last time out and haven’t tasted victory since the middle of September. Defeat could leave the club as many as 16 points off safety already.
Being the form side should give Halifax the confidence they need to cruise past the divisions strugglers and further cement their playoff aspirations.
Prediction: FC Halifax Town 3-1 Ebbsfleet United
Bees looking to fly further ahead?
The league leaders are also in league action this weekend, with Dean Brennan’s men aiming to make it five clean sheets and four wins on the spin as they face Tamworth.
Standing in their way is Andy Peakes’ Tamworth who have lost just once in their last five league outings and a victory would take them even closer to ensuring their survival this season.
Zak Brunt scored a hat-trick during a 7-0 win against the Lambs earlier this season and a win could see Barnet move as high as seven points clear at the top of the standings.
Prediction: Tamworth 0-2 Barnet
Matt Taylor returns to the Stones
Matt Taylor returns to Wealdstone this weekend for the first time since departing the club to replace Andy Whing at play-off chasers Solihull Moors.
The Stones have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions and find themselves back in the bottom four, meanwhile the Moors have lost three matches on the spin and have crashed out of the top seven.
Both teams are badly out of form and this could make for a very cagey affair, but the Moors are significantly stronger away from home and they need to make that count.
Prediction: Wealdstone 1-2 Solihull Moors
Can York put an end to their recent wobble?
Rounding off this weekend’s shorter gameweek will see title chasers York City aim to correct their run of three defeats in four games and pile the pressure back on Barnet at the top.
Standing in their way is the challenge of Dagenham & Redbridge who find themselves looking over their shoulders at the wrong end of the standings and have won twice in their last seven games.
York have the second best home record in the National League so far this season, whilst Dagenham have won just twice in 13 matches away from home and that is something Adam Hinshelwood’s side need to take into account.
Prediction: York City 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
National League fans, feel free to let us know your thoughts ahead of this weekend’s matches on Twitter (@NLNatter).
