Braintree Town play host to Wealdstone on Wednesday night looking for the win that would move them clear of the National League relegation zone.
However, should they lose to their 21st-placed opponents at Cressing Road, Wealdstone will be within two points.
Match preview
© Imago
Having earned a return to the National League for 2024-25, there is an argument that Braintree are continuing to punch above their weight.
Four wins from their last eight matches in the fifth tier of English football have created a five-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Steve Pitt's side are still one of the lowest goalscorers in the division, netting 31 times in as many games, but they have now found the back of the net in seven of their last eight league outings.
Of the aforementioned recent four victories, the most notable came last time out as they inflicted just the third National League defeat of the campaign on third-placed Forest Green Rovers, prevailing 2-0.
As well as extending their unbeaten home record to three games, Braintree have also conceded just 13 times from 16 outings at Cressing Road.
Meanwhile, Wealdstone have recently had to cope with manager Matt Taylor leaving the club to take over the reins at Solihull Moors. Neil Gibson has since been appointed as his successor.
They headed into their most recent league fixture at Yeovil Town on a seven-game winless streak, accumulating just three points during that period.
However, the Stones were able to depart Huish Park with an impressive 2-1 victory over their 14th-placed opponents, moving them to within one point of getting outside of the relegation zone.
That represented just the second away success that Wealdstone have enjoyed all season, albeit it is worth noting they have also lost only six of their 15 away games this campaign.
Team News
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Barring any injury issues, it is unlikely that Pitt will want to make any changes to his Braintree XI.
Kyrell Lisbie came back into the team to net his eight league goal of the campaign against Forest Green, with Tom Blackwell scoring just his second from the opposite flank.
Veteran midfielder Alan Judge is still awaiting his first start for the club since his January arrival.
Dom Hutchinson is an option to come into the Wealdstone starting lineup having replaced Enzio Boldewijn at half time of the win at Yeovil.
Unless that straight swap is made, it is plausible to expect Gibson to name the same side given the previous winless streak.
Braintree Town possible starting lineup:
Gray; Pinnington, Annesley, Francis-Clarke, Fyfield; Vennings, Francis, Robinson; Blackwell, Akinde, Lisbie
Wealdstone possible starting lineup:
Gunter; McAvoy, Grant, Mariappa, Georgiou; Kretzschmar, Eastmond, Boldewijn; Sohna, Obiero; Reid
We say: Braintree Town 1-1 Wealdstone
With both teams entering this fixture on the back of a win, confidence will be higher than it has been in some time. As a result, we feel that a competitive draw is most likely, a result that would suit the home team more than their opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
