Preview: Boreham Wood vs. Solihull Moors - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams who were expected to feature in the National League playoffs, only Solihull Moors can finish inside the top seven, with Boreham Wood destined for another season in the fifth tier.

Solihull will be keen to wrap up a place inside the top three when they visit Hertfordshire this weekend, while Boreham Wood be playing purely for pride.

Match preview

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Having captured the hearts and minds of English football with their remarkable run to the FA Cup fifth round, Boreham Wood's season has fallen off a cliff since.

Since coming up against Premier League Everton at Goodison Park, Boreham Wood have mustered just two victories across all competitions.

Before their trip to Merseyside, the Hertfordshire side did hold promotion in their own hands, yet a horrific run of form has not only seen them drop out of the title race, but the playoffs altogether.

Midweek defeat away to Grimsby Town put an end to any lingering hopes of a top-seven finish, yet Boreham Wood could still have an important say in the National League playoff race.

With second and third qualifying for the playoff semi-finals, while the four sides below them drop straight into the eliminator stage, Solihull will be keen to hold onto their current position in third.

Sneaking into the top three on the penultimate weekend of the season, a gutsy 3-1 win against Dagenham & Redbridge saw the Moors leapfrog FC Halifax Town.

Ahead of the Yorkshire side on goal difference, Solihull only need to match Halifax's result against title-chasing Stockport County in order to secure third spot.

A remarkable achievement for Solihull, given some of the finances floating around at the top of the National League, should they hold onto third spot, the Moors will be just two matches away from a first-ever promotion to the Football League.

Once a dream held by this weekend's opponents, Solihull will take confidence from their record against Boreham Wood, as they are unbeaten in the previous three league matches.

A confident 3-1 victory over the Wood in the reverse fixture should provide the Moors players with enough inspiration to get across the line with a victory on Sunday.

Team News

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Shown a straight red card against Dagenham, Jamey Osborne will not be involved for the hosts, with the midfielder set for a nervous wait to see if his side can achieve their top three ambition.

Joe Sbarra has been in fine form for the Moors this season, scoring 17 goals from his 43 appearances so far, and the striker will be keen to round off the season with another strike this weekend.

Boreham Wood's biggest attacking threat will come in the form of Scott Boden, whose 11 goals this season had kept the Wood in contention for a while.

Goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, has endured a rocky season between the sticks, but he is expected to be given the gloves ahead of teammate Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Boreham Wood possible starting lineup:

Ashmore; Evans, Stephens, Mafuta, Mendy; Comley, Smith, Raymond, Boden; Marsh, Lewis

Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:

McDonnell; Maycock, Clarke, Howe, Boyes; Barnett, Sbarra, Maycock, Maynard; Hudlin, Dallas

We say: Boreham Wood 1-2 Solihull Moors

Not the final game Boreham Wood would have envisaged, given their title aspirations, yet the hosts will no doubt provide stern opposition to the playoff-chasers.

Solihull have a third-placed finish in their hands, with the Moors likely to come away from Hertfordshire the happier of the two sides.