Barnet, looking to regain the excellent form they showed earlier in the National League season, are set to travel to the Chigwell Construction Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face mid-table Dagenham & Redbridge.
The visitors sit third in the league with 34 points from 17 matches, but have been struggling for form in recent outings, while the hosts are 12th with 22 points from their 17 games.
Match preview
© Imago
Since their heartbreaking relegation from League Two in 2017-18, when they finished 23rd and only missed out on safety on goal difference behind 22nd-placed Morecambe after ending level on 46 points, Barnet have experienced a highly inconsistent spell in the National League.
Barnet finished 13th in their first National League season in 2018-19, followed by a rise to seventh place and a playoff spot in 2019-20, where they were ultimately knocked out in the semifinal by Notts County.
However, they suffered a drastic decline in the following years, sitting bottom of the league when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19 in 2020-21 placing 18th in 2021-22.
Barnet rebounded quickly, finishing fifth in 2022-23 before falling to Boreham Wood in the playoff quarterfinal, and then placing second last season, only to be knocked out by Solihull Moors in a 4-0 semifinal loss.
Dean Brennan, at the helm since September 2021, seems on track to guide the team to at least another playoff finish, though they have encountered challenges in recent games, contrasting with their strong start to the season.
Barnet won 10 of their first 13 league games, losing only three, but have since secured just one victory in their next four matches, causing them to slip from first to third in the standings.
Brennan will be eager for his team to get back to winning ways and avoid a further fall in the standings, but an away trip to the Chigwell Construction Stadium against Dagenham & Redbridge could pose a tough challenge for Barnet.
The hosts have experienced a decent start to the season, currently sitting 12th with 22 points from 17 matches, from five wins, seven draws and five defeats, but they have been outstanding on home turf.
Dag & Red have suffered just one league defeat when at home, with four wins and three draws in the remaining seven matches, making them the sixth-best home side in the league.
Ben Strevens, at the helm since March 2023, will be counting on Dag & Red's strong home form on Saturday afternoon, aiming for all three points to help close the six-point gap to the playoff spots.
Team News
The hosts remain undefeated in their last three matches across all competitions, a run of results that could see Strevens opt to name a similar side once again here.
Dion Pereira, on loan from Luton Town has been a standout performer with eight goals in 18 appearances this season, and he is expected to start in attack alongside Dylan Stephenson, Ryan Hill, and Junior Morias in this one.
Although Barnet have struggled in recent outings compared to their strong start to the season, they come into this match with a win and a draw in their last two games, results that may lead Brennan to name the same starting 11 here.
Callum Stead, Barnet's top scorer this season, came off the bench in the 92nd minute in their last game, but the attacker could make a return to the starting lineup on Saturday
Dagenham & Redbridge possible starting lineup:
Justham; Rutherford, Eastman, Crichlow, Woodhouse; Phipps, N'Guessan; Pereira, Morias, Hill; Stephenson
Barnet possible starting lineup:
Hayes; Kanu, Collinge, Oluwo, Kenlock, Coker; Stead, Hartigan, Hobson, Glover; Kabamba
We say: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Barnet
Despite Barnet being the stronger side overall this season, Dagenham & Redbridge have been formidable at home, and with Barnet struggling in recent outings, winning just one of their last five matches across all competitions, we believe this game will end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
