Both looking to secure top-seven finishes this term, Halifax Town and Solihull Moors will do battle at the Shay Stadium on Tuesday night in the National League.
The hosts have had over a week to dwell on a heavy defeat at Southend United last time out, while the Moors were convincing winners in the FA Trophy over the weekend.
Match preview
Halifax Town suffered their biggest defeat of the campaign to date at Roots Hall on January 6, when Southend struck thrice without reply through Henry Sandat's third-minute goal, before Gus Scott-Morriss bagged a second-half brace to condemn the visitors to only their seventh loss of the season.
Excluding the FA Trophy exit at the hands of Altrincham on December 12 via penalty kicks, the Shaymen enjoyed an unbeaten festive period which yielded eight points from four National League matches, including impressive away maximums at Gateshead and Phil Parkinson's Robins on Boxing Day.
Chris Millington's men currently occupy ninth place in the fifth-tier standings and are within striking distance of the playoff places, sitting just a single point behind seventh-placed Rochdale, who have only tasted victory twice in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Halifax have not proved to be the most potent team in the National League this season, making the contributions of seven-goal attacker Millenic Alli especially important, with the Irishman now two goals away from equalling the tally he managed in the entirety of the 2022-23 term.
The Shaymen's top-seven hopes are being severely hindered by their shady form at the Shay Stadium, with Millington's side winning just four of their 13 home league matches to date, and Tuesday's hosts are without a victory at their West Yorkshire base since November 18.
Solihull Moors come into Tuesday's night clash high on confidence following the 5-0 thrashing of seventh-tier Nantwich Town in the fourth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, with Jack Stevens, Kian Ryley, Morgan Owen, Tyler Bruck and Finn Howell all getting onto the scoresheet at SportNation-bet Stadium.
There were three different goalscorers as the Moors eased past relegation-threatened Woking in the West Midlands during their last National League contest on January 6, when James Clarke, Callum Maycock and Mark Beck registered strikes to further cement their side's spot in the playoffs.
Since the 6-1 humiliation at Altrincham on November 25, Solihull have collected nine points from five matches in the National League, meaning they sit fourth in the fifth-tier standings, six points ahead of eighth-placed Gateshead and Tuesday's visitors Halifax Town.
Josh Kelly is currently filling the sizeable goalscoring boots of Kyle Hudlin who departed from Championship outfit Huddersfield Town, with the 25-year-old finding the net on 11 occasions in 25 league fixtures so far in 2023-24 - the same number as he managed in 45 games last campaign.
The Moors have failed to win any of their last six matches at the Shay Stadium despite fighting for promotion to League Two in recent campaigns, with Emmanuel Dieseruvwe's strike forcing the Midlands club to settle for a point in Yorkshire during their last visit following an Andrew Dallas opener.
Team News
Following an eight-month absence due to an Achilles injury, Festus Arthur returned to the Halifax squad for the matches against Altrincham and Southend, with the defender "raring to go" ahead of Tuesday night.
Former West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City striker Adan George has joined the Shaymen from National League North side Rushall Olympic, and the youngster could make his debut against Solihull.
Leading marksman Alli is expected to be sidelined for another two weeks due to a knee injury, placing further pressure on the performances of Robert Harker and Adam Senior.
Solihull have welcomed back Joe Sbarra from an extended period on the sidelines because of heart problems, with the ex-Burton Albion man possessing the ability to push his side towards promotion.
After struggling for game time, Nico Gordon has been recalled by Birmingham and will play no further part for the Moors this season as they aim for the playoffs.
Halifax Town possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Cappello, Cooke, Cosgrave, Hoti; Hunter, Keane, Oluwabori, Senior; Stott, Thompson-Sommers
Solihull Moors possible starting lineup:
Hayes; Clarke, Craig, Whitmore, Morrison; Benton, Kelly, Osborne, Warburton; Beck, Maycock
We say: Halifax Town 1-1 Solihull Moors
Halifax have struggled since the turn of the year but should be able to collect at least a point at home on Tuesday night.
Solihull have been sensational at home but less-than convincing on their travels in recent times, so we feel that the Moors will settle for a share of the spoils in this one.
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Top tip
Carter White
