Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s National League clash between Yeovil Town and Ebbsfleet, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Yeovil Town welcome a struggling Ebbsfleet to Huish Park on Tuesday evening, when the hosts look to make it back-to-back wins in the league.
For the visitors, having suffered consecutive defeats they will need to drastically improve if they are to avoid a third straight loss here.
Match preview
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Yeovil come into Tuesday’s encounter with three points from their opening two games, with the most recent being their 1-0 win away to Braintree Town on Saturday.
Defender Morgan Williams scored just after the hour mark to break the deadlock as Yeovil claimed their first league victory of the campaign.
It was an important victory for the Glovers having lost their opening game to Hartlepool United, and manager Mark Cooper will have been pleased to see such a measured performance and positive response from his players.
Yeovil were promoted as champions from the National League South last season having amassed an impressive 95 points, and so grabbing a win and clean sheet in their first away game is sure to be a huge confidence boost for the Glovers.
Cooper’s side are known for their fluidity on the ball, and with the likes of Frank Nouble and Aaron Jarvis in attack they have the potency up front to cause a lot of teams problems this season.
Ebbsfleet on the other hand have made a poor start to the season, suffering consecutive losses and now sitting second-bottom with a minus five goal difference.
A last-gasp penalty from Dominic Poleon was not enough to prevent the Fleet from falling to defeat as they lost 2-1 at home to Barnet on Saturday.
It was however a marked improvement on the opening day 5-1 defeat inflicted on them by Gateshead, where again Poleon had scored a late consolation goal in an otherwise dismal day for Ebbsfleet.
Only Boston United sit beneath Danny Searle‘s side and the manager could look to make some personnel changes in order to get a positive reaction on Tuesday, but it will be a tall order given their first two displays so far this campaign.
Yeovil Town National League form:
Yeovil Town form (all competitions):
Ebbsfleet National League form:
Ebbsfleet form (all competitions):
Team News
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Yeovil have a clean bill of health for Tuesday’s encounter and Cooper’s only selection headache is whether he sticks with the side that beat Braintree 1-0, or whether he opts to rotate to keep the squad fresh.
If he does opt to rotate his squad, the likes of Sam Pearson, Charlie Cooper and Dylan Morgan will be pushing to start here.
Similarly, Ebbsfleet have no injury concerns heading into the game but the necessity to ring the changes is arguably greater for Searle given their poor start to the season.
With two goals in two games, Poleon will be the most likely candidate to partner Nouble in attack, with Wesley Fonguck and Greg Cundle being potential starters should the manager look to freshen up his midfield.
Yeovil Town possible starting lineup:
Wright; Smith, Williams, Wannell, Whittle; Worthington, McGavin; Young, Nouble, Greenslade; Jarvis
Ebbsfleet possible starting lineup:
Cousins; O’Neill, Page, Phillips, Cordner, Domi; Wright, Kellerman, Chapman; Thomas, Poleon
We say: Yeovil Town 2-0 Ebbsfleet
Yeovil bounced back well having suffered a narrow opening-day defeat, and with their attacking options they will always be a threat to defences up and down the division.
Ebbsfleet on the other hand look devoid of confidence and could be staring a third straight defeat in the eye on Tuesday evening unless there is a significant improvement.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.