Harrogate Town
- Harrogate Town have won three of their last five matches, losing twice.
- Simon Weaver's side are 5th in the table with 16 points from nine games - a top-half beginning that should see them come out on top against a visitor who are 12th with 14 points from the same number of games.
- The Harrogate boss has built his team around a narrow 3-4-2-1 system, a desire to play quickly in the vertical channels and a high press that tries to win the ball back as early as possible.
- The Sulphurites have won two of their last three at home so there's no question that Weaver's men are at their most potent on their own patch.
Eastleigh
- Eastleigh have lost their last two away games but bounce back from a 2-1 away defeat at Sutton United by beating Carlisle United 1-0.
- Eastleigh set up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation and will sit deep and play on the break, which could make for an interesting chess match on Saturday as Harrogate's high press takes on Eastleigh's low block.
- The visitors have conceded just five goals in four National League away games so they can sit in and make it tough for Harrogate.
Betting Insights
- The hosts are very clear favorites at 1.54 in the match result markets with Eastleigh 5.04 and the draw 3.88.
- Eastleigh can nick a couple of chances in the game and, at 1.69, both teams to score looks fair enough in this spot.
- Over 2.5 goals at 1.64 is also a pretty good fit for this matchup, which features two teams that are comfortable with their identity and have the players to carry out their respective coaches' instructions.
Key Players
Josh Hmami, who has three goals in his five National League games, will be Harrogate's most likely finisher on the day and Josh Lundstram is on three in eight for Eastleigh, so they are the two players most likely to score on this occasion.
Prediction
Harrogate Town have enjoyed a solid start to the National League season and should use that momentum to get the better of Eastleigh at EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday.
