Dagenham & Redbridge will be looking to take advantage of one of their games in hand in the National League when they host Eastleigh on Tuesday evening.
Although the 13th-placed home side sit behind their ninth-placed opponents in the standings by two points, they have played three fixtures fewer than the visitors.
Match preview
As a result of their exploits in the FA Cup, Dagenham & Redbridge have some catching up to do in the National League having played the joint-least amount of matches in the division.
Their FA Cup adventure came to an end last week as they went down 3-2 in a replay with Gillingham, cruelly conceding in the last minute, but they will target success in the FA Trophy when they host Uxbridge at the weekend.
As it stands, however, full focus is on trying to get back on track in the league having seen a three-match run of victories ended by defeat to previous bottom side Torquay United.
That came as a significant setback for Daryl McMahon and his side, who would have been sitting in eighth spot with a victory rather than in the bottom half of the table.
Nevertheless, it represented just their second home defeat in 11 league games during 2022-23, and there will be belief that they can record a seventh home triumph versus Eastleigh at Victoria Road.
From Eastleigh's perspective, they participated in one of the National League fixtures to survive the weather at the weekend, going down 2-0 at home to Wrexham.
Although they remained competitive, two first-half goals proved decisive for the title-chasing visitors, and Eastleigh find themselves under pressure to retain their place in the playoff chase.
As it stands, they trail by just two points, but Lee Bradbury's side have played the most amount of games of any team in the top 13 in the division.
The Spitfires also possess an abysmal away record this campaign, recording just five points and losing eight of their 11 matches on the road.
Team News
Dagenham & Redbridge will have to make do without Harry Phipps after he was dismissed during the closing stages versus Gillingham.
Although he has not featured in the league since August, David Longe-King may be handed an opportunity in his place.
Having made three substitute appearances recently and netted against Gillingham, George Saunders could earn a chance in midfield.
Tristan Abrahams may be given a recall to the Eastleigh attack after being used as a substitute for the first time in the league this season versus Wrexham.
Nigel Atangana missed out against the Welsh side through injury and that is likely to remain the case for this game.
Dagenham & Redbridge possible starting lineup:
Justham; Hare, Onariase, Longe-King; Weston, Robinson, Rance, Sagaf, Johnson; Walker, Morias
Eastleigh possible starting lineup:
McDonnell; Kelly, Maghoma, Camp, Langston, Rutherford, Cisse, Carter, Hill, McKiernan, Whitehall
We say: Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Eastleigh
Having had the weekend off, Dagenham are well rested and we feel that could make the difference here. Although Eastleigh were able to push Wrexham to a certain extent, the extra workload may give their hosts the advantage in this fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
