Two playoff contenders meet in the National League this weekend when Yeovil Town host FC Halifax Town at Huish Park.
The Glovers currently occupy the final playoff place and are just two points ahead of this weekend's visitors in the table.
Match preview
© Imago
Yeovil have exceeded expectations this season, having earned promotion as champions of the National League South in the 2023-24 campaign.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last seven league games and rank behind only the top two York City and Forest Green Rovers in the form standings over this period.
Strong defensive displays have been key to Yeovil's success this season, with the Glovers already keeping seven clean sheets in the National League. They can also boast the third-best defensive record in the division, conceding only 15 times this season.
Halifax have let in just one more goal than their hosts, demonstrating their resilience at the back, and that has been the bedrock of the visitors' latest promotion push, having reached the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.
The two teams have only recently returned to league action after being dumped out of the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round, which saw them both have a weekend off at the start of the month.
The hosts were knocked out following a 1-0 defeat at Chesham United, whereas fellow National League outfit Oldham Athletic ended Halifax's cup hopes for the year.
Last weekend, both sides resumed league action with 1-0 wins - Yeovil secured an important win at Southend United, where James Plant's goal clinched all three points after Southend's Zach Jeacock was sent off.
Halifax, meanwhile, defeated Woking at home, with Angelo Cappello scoring the decisive goal upon his return from injury.
The Shaymen played midweek in the National League Cup, facing Middlesbrough Under-21s; Sonny Finch's hat-trick helped the young Boro side to a 4-1 win, leaving Chris Millington's team with a point to prove when they return to league action.
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Team News
Aaron Jarvis and Dominic Bernard are available again for the hosts, having been suspended for their recent clash against Southend.
Charlie Cooper will miss this game after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the meeting with the Shrimpers.
Morgan Williams is also suspended; this will be the final game of his three-match ban he received after being sent off in a goalless draw at Tamworth last month.
However, there is better news when it comes to 36-year-old full-back Michael Smith, who is available again after missing the last five games through injury, while captain Matt Worthington is back in training, although this weekend's match will come too soon for him.
Josh Sims has an outside chance of being available despite suffering from an illness which has affected the Yeovil camp this week.
Halifax loanee Scott High has returned to his parent club, Huddersfield Town, after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Defender Ryan Galvin is not expected to feature due to a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Jack Evans has been described as "touch and go" to return to the starting lineup after missing the win against Woking last weekend.
Harvey Sutcliffe also missed the game against the Cardinals due to a hamstring injury, and he remains a doubt for this game.
Max Wright has been nursing both a knee and a toe injury recently, and he is expected to be out for at least two more weeks.
Yeovil Town possible starting lineup:
Wright; Smith, Bernard, Cousin-Dawson, Wannell, Whittle; Nouble, McGavin, Lo-Everton, Plant; Jarvis
Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Senior, Cummings, Smith, Evans; Jenkins, Pugh, Hoti; Cappello, Waters, Cooke
We say: Yeovil Town 1-1 Halifax Town
The two teams have strong defensive foundations and will be eager for a victory to strengthen their playoff bids. However, with both sides capable of scoring goals, we are going with a 1-1 draw here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
