Braintree Town (home)
- Braintree Town are 21st in the National League, picking up 25 points from 29 games so far, and they remain mired in the relegation zone.
- Braintree Town FC have 3 losses in their last 5 National League matches, including a 0-3 defeat to Boreham Wood and a 5-0 thrashing away at York City.
- Steve Pitt’s side is pragmatic by nature.
- Braintree Town FC will set up a low block and attempt to frustrate the opposition by sitting deep, packing the defence and hitting on the counter.
- Braintree have won just 4 of their 15 home matches this season and they’ve been particularly dry in front of goal, with just 0.73 goals per home game.
- Lewis Walker is their highest scorer in the league with just 3 goals in 18 National League appearances.
Eastleigh (away)
- Eastleigh sit 16th in the National League, 31 points from 28 matches is enough to keep them in mid-table.
- They’ve won four, drawn four and lost seven of their 15 National League away matches this campaign, scoring 16 goals on the road.
- Kelvin Davis’ side are more suited to a high tempo game, where they can dominate possession, press in the midfield and create plenty of chances through the technical quality in their squad, or at least that’s the idea.
- Aaron Blair remains their most consistent threat with ten goals in 22 National League games this season, but Lloyd Humphries has been on a hot streak lately, scoring two of Eastleigh’s last four goals in the last five matches.
Head-to-Head
Braintree Town have three wins in their last four head-to-head matches with Eastleigh, winning the last meeting 3-1 away from home four months ago .
Braintree Town
Lewis Walker is their highest scorer in the league with just 3 goals in 18 National League appearances .
Eastleigh
- Aaron Blair remains their most consistent threat with ten goals in 22 National League games this season.
- Lloyd Humphries has been on a hot streak lately, scoring two of Eastleigh’s last four goals in the last five matches.
Betting Insights
- Both of these sides are poor in front of goal and with the stakes high, neither are likely to be particularly open on Saturday.
- The draw is set at 3.08, Braintree Town are 2.64 to take the win and Eastleigh are the slight favourites at 2.46.
- Under 2.5 goals is priced at 1.8 for this clash, a scoreline that looks likely given Braintree’s woeful recent scoring record and Eastleigh’s dismal defensive displays across their last three outings, conceding 11 goals in the process.
Prediction
This should be a close encounter where the odds on Under 2.5 goals look like a smart bet.
