Southend United will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run of form in the National League to six matches when they make the trip to Dover Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors, who played out a 1-1 draw with Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening, are currently 18th in the table, while Dover are at the foot of the division on minus five points.
Match preview
Dover were handed a 12-point deduction for the 2021-22 campaign after failing to meet fixture obligations last season, and they are currently at the foot of the table with minus five points.
There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a hugely difficult campaign for the club, who have won one, drawn four and lost 20 of their 25 National League matches, while they have the worst defensive record in the league with 58 goals conceded.
Dover managed to record their first victory in 364 days on Tuesday, though, as Alfie Pavey's goal handed them a 1-0 success over Eastleigh on a famous night for the club.
The win ended a run of eight straight defeats and followed a 5-0 defeat at Solihull Moors, so the home side will certainly be feeling good about themselves ahead of their clash with Southend.
Andy Hessenthaler's side, who suffered a 4-1 defeat in the reverse match at Roots Hall, have picked up just five points from their 12 home league matches during the 2021-22 campaign.
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Southend, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw at Aldershot on Tuesday, with Harry Cardwell's late effort securing a share of the spoils for the Blues.
Kevin Maher's side are now unbeaten in their last five league matches, recording three wins in the process, which has moved them away from the relegation zone into 18th position.
The Shrimpers are now 10 points clear of 21st-placed Weymouth and only five points from 12th-placed Woking, so they could find themselves rising further up the table with a couple more positive results.
Maher's team have won three, drawn three and lost seven of their 13 away National League matches this term, picking up five points from their last three on their travels against Bromley, Weymouth and Aldershot.
Southend were expected to challenge for promotion back to League Two following their relegation last season, but it has been a difficult campaign for the club thus far.
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Team News
Dover boss Hessenthaler made two changes to the side that started against Solihull for the victory over Eastleigh, with Jake Goodman and Khale Da Costa coming into the XI, and both players should retain their spots for this weekend's contest.
Summer signing Ben Williamson has now left the club by mutual consent, but recent arrival Michael Gyasi was involved against Eastleigh and should also be included in the squad for this match.
As for Southend, Matt Dennis could be available after missing out against Aldershot with a hamstring issue, with Maher hopeful that the on-loan Norwich City youngster will be passed fit.
Rhys Murphy has undergone a knee operation and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future, while Jack Bridge is again likely to miss out despite featuring for the Under-23s on Tuesday, with the midfielder recovering from injury.
Aside from Dennis, Mayer could select the majority of the side that started against Aldershot, with the attacker potentially coming in for Harrison Neal, who will be unavailable for selection through suspension.
Dover Athletic possible starting lineup:
Parkes; Judd, Ransom, Goodman, Ofori-Twumasi; Wilkinson, Hanson, Woods, Arthur; Pavey, Da Costa
Southend United possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Davies, Lopata, Hobson, Ralph; Clifford, Atkinson, Husin, Dennis; Dalby, Cardwell
We say: Dover Athletic 1-2 Southend United
Dover will have been boosted by their win last time out, but we fancy Southend to collect all three points here. The Blues appear to have turned a corner following a difficult run, and we are expecting the visitors to secure a vital win at Dover's expense.
