Halifax Town will be looking for their first win in four National League games when they host Scunthorpe United at the Shay on Wednesday night.
After their recent winless run, the Shaymen have fallen to 15th in the standings, although they are still considerably higher than the visitors, who are rooted to the bottom of the table.
Match preview
Halifax failed to score in their first four games this season, and it is clearly a problem that has continued to plague them, given that they have the second-worst scoring record in the league, netting on just 24 occasions in 25 league matches.
However, Chris Millington's side are still well in contention for the playoffs, sitting just six points off seventh-placed Bromley while also having a game in hand at their disposal, highlighting just how many teams are fighting for that final spot.
The Shaymen's home form has been the main reason why they have been able to stay within touching distance of the playoff places, not losing a game at the Shay since the beginning of October, winning six and drawing one of their last seven in front of their own fans.
While they have had their struggles in the attacking third, Halifax's defensive record has largely been decent, shipping 32 goals, the third-lowest amount of any side outside the playoffs.
Last time out, Millington's side came unstuck away at Torquay United, losing 1-0 against a side currently in the relegation zone, and so a much-improved performance will be needed on Wednesday night.
After being relegated from League Two last season, Scunthorpe find themselves in real trouble of suffering the same fate again, currently five points from safety, having also played three more games than 20th-placed Oldham Athletic.
While they have struggled at home, the Iron's away form has been their main issue this season, still searching for their first win on their travels, having lost on nine occasions and drawn on five in the National League.
Interim manager Michael Nelson has a huge task on his hands to turn around his side's fortunes, given just how rare it has become for them to win matches, taking three points in just one of their last 12 league games.
Scunthorpe did manage to show some promising signs against fellow strugglers Maidenhead United in their first home game of 2023, emerging as comfortable 3-0 winners, with Caolan Lavery bagging a hat-trick.
However, the Iron were quickly brought back down to earth in their last match, losing 2-0 against Woking at Glanford Park, and they face another tough test on Wednesday, particularly considering they lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture against Halifax earlier in the season.
Team News
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe has endured a difficult spell in front of goal recently, failing to score in his last nine appearances for Halifax, and so he could be dropped by Millington, with Robert Harker instead partnering Millenic Alli in attack.
Moving into the midfield, the Shaymen are set to be without Matty Warburton, who will be out for around four weeks with a calf injury, while Kian Spence will also continue to miss out, so Jordan Keane and Jamie Cooke are likely to get the nod.
Elsewhere, Jordan Slew may feature on the left of midfield, having made cameo appearances in three of the last four matches, with Osayamen Osawe dropping to the bench.
As for Scunthorpe, Lavery will be the first name on the team sheet after his recent performances, with the talisman netting six goals in his last seven matches for the Iron.
Alfie Beestin is the forward's likely strike partner, with Marcus Carver out with a groin injury, while Liam Feeney will also continue to miss out due to a hamstring problem, although he is making progress in his recovery.
Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Golden, Arthur, Debrah, Senior; Gilmour, Keane, Cooke, Slew; Alli, Harker
Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Foster; Boyce, Ogle, Taft, Butterfield; Pugh, Daniel, Shrimpton, Wilson; Lavery, Beestin
We say: Halifax Town 2-0 Scunthorpe United
Halifax have a very good recent record at the Shay, so they should have no problem sweeping Scunthorpe aside with a comfortable victory.
Scunthorpe struggle on their travels, so it will be a surprise if they are able to get anything out of the game on Wednesday night, in yet another blow to their chances of avoiding relegation from the National League.
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Top tip
Dominic Lund
