Preview: Eastleigh vs. Chesterfield - prediction, team news, lineups

Chesterfield, who sit in second place in the National League, will continue their promotion push on Saturday when they travel to the Silverlake Stadium to face Eastleigh.

The hosts are currently without a permanent manager after Ben Strevens left by mutual consent in midweek, and the Spitfires will be aiming to end a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions at the weekend.

Match preview

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Eastleigh became the first team to lose to Dover Athletic this season when they suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Whites in midweek.

It was a game that proved to be Strevens's last in charge of the Spitfires as he left by mutual consent, leaving Jason Bristow with the responsibility to lead the team on an interim basis.

Bristow first task is to halt Easleigh's current slide, which has resulted in them losing their last four matches in all competitions.

In those four games, the Spitfires have conceded ten goals, while they have only found the net themselves on one occasion, which has left the Eastleigh dressing room low on confidence.

Despite their recent struggles, the Spitfires can be hopeful of collecting at least a point on Sunday having lost just twice at home in the league this season.

As for Chesterfield, they are a point adrift of the league leaders Stockport County, and they have the advantage of possessing a game in hand over their promotion rivals.

The Spireites may sit in a promising position, but they have experienced a difficult week, picking up just a point from their last two games, while their manager James Rowe has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct, which has left Danny Webb in charge of first-team affairs.

Last weekend, Chesterfield lost 3-2 away to Maidenhead United despite coming from two goals down to level the encounter, but they ultimately left empty-handed after Josh Kelly struck late to score his second goal of the game, condemning the Spireites to defeat.

Chesterfield were involved in a slightly more uneventful encounter in midweek as they played out a goalless home draw with Aldershot Town.

With Eastleigh low on confidence, the Spireites will be looking to capitalise, and they will be confident of doing so after losing only two away league games this season.

Team News

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Eastleigh welcomed Jake Hesketh back into the matchday squad in midweek, and he is expected to be among the substitutes on Saturday.

Tom Broadbent returned to the starting lineup for Tuesday's encounter, and he is set to feature in the centre of defence alongside Andrew Boyce.

Meanwhile, Tyrone Barnett has top-scored for the Spitfires in the National League this season, and will be partnered upfront by Dan Smith.

As for Chesterfield, Akwasi Asante is expected to keep his place in the side after coming into the starting lineup for the meeting with Aldershot.

The visitors could bring Alex Whittle back into the starting XI for Saturday's encounter.

Kabongo Tshimanga is the current top scorer in the National League, with 21 league goals to his name, and he will lead the line alongside Joe Quigley.

Eastleigh possible starting lineup:
McDonnell; Hare, Broadbent, Boyce, Kelly; Hill, Whelan, Hollands, Pritchard; Barnett, Smith

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Loach; Williams, Croll, Maguire; King, Khan, Asante, Weston, Whittle; Tshimanga, Quigley

We say: Eastleigh 0-1 Chesterfield

With Eastleigh currently struggling to find any sort of positive form, Chesterfield will be confident of continuing their promotion push with a victory at the weekend, although we expect it to be a close affair.

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