This week's match in focus comes from Kent as lowly Ebbsfleet host Aldershot at the Stonebridge Road Stadium.
Ebbsfleet survived last season in the National League by two points, but it looks like an upward battle for the Fleet this campaign.
After six losses and one draw from the opening seven games, the Kent side are currently bottom of the table, four points away from their nearest competitor Tamworth. The poor start to the season led to the departure of manager Danny Searle, so an interim manager will be in the dugout on Tuesday night.
The Fleet started the season with 5-1, 1-2, 3-2 and 0-3 losses to Gateshead, Barnet, Yeovil and Woking respectively. A 0-0 draw at Braintree ended the rut, but 0-1 and 4-0 losses to FC Halifax and Altrincham cost Searle his job.
It is a side that contains a lot of attacking talent, with Will Randall enjoying many fruitful seasons at Sutton United and Dominic Poleon scoring 69 goals across the last three seasons. It is thought a new manager will bring the best out of a talented squad. With no wins on the board and an expectant home crowd, expect Ebbsfleet to start on the front foot.
The Shots have been the league's entertainers this season, scoring 15 goals and conceding 14 in seven games. Tommy Widdrington's side currently sits eighth in the league but with away games at struggling Ebbsfleet and Boston United in the space of a week, they will be aiming to break into the playoffs.
However, the Shots have struggled away at the relegation-battling sides, losing 3-2 and 2-1 to Tamworth and Braintree. This was the case last year too, losing to Ebbsfleet, Dorking, Bishop Stortford (FA Trophy), York and Maidenhead. These results meant that Aldershot missed out on the playoffs by just two points, so Tommy Widdrington will be keen to ensure these losses are ironed out.
Ebbsfleet have scored four goals and conceded 18 in seven games, with their games averaging 3.14 goals. There is untapped potential in their attacking calvary, however, and it is believed a new manager can tap into this ability.
Aldershot have scored 15 goals and conceded 14, with their games averaging 4.14 goals. Goals were a theme last year, with their games averaging 3.41 goals. Of their seven games this season, Aldershot have seen Both Teams Score in Both Halves land three times. Interstingly, it landed against Maidenhead and Tamworth- two relegation-threatened teams.
Both teams will believe they can win, so yet another end-to-end game is in store.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score in Both Halves @10.00
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