Match Preview: Eastbourne Borough vs Oxford City
Oxford City will look to extend their unbeaten run in Vanarama National League South with a tough clash away at play-off chasing Eastbourne Borough (Kick-off 15:00).
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
City extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 0-0 draw with Braintree Town on Tuesday evening, a result that took the Hoops into the play-off places.
Eastbourne on the other hand will be looking for a league double over City and avenge last season's play-off defeat.
A win for Borough would see them leapfrog City into a play-off place (depending on results elsewhere), however a win for City could see them rise to fifth in Vanarama National League South.
LAST TIME OUT:
Both sides met on the opening day of the season and City got off to the worst possible start. Three mistakes in the backline saw City go 3-0 down in the first-half, before Klaidi Lolos scored a consolation after the interval.
FORM:
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
Form: WWWWL
A 3-0 defeat on Tuesday away at Tonbridge Angels came as a surprise to many, especially as Eastbourne entered the game as the league's form team.
Borough were on a six-game unbeaten run themselves before Tuesday, with an impressive win over fellow play-off chasers St Albans & a thumping 5-1 win over Slough Town.
However, the Christmas period will dictate whether Borough have play-off credentials for a second year in a row with with games against the Hoops, Ebbsfleet & a Christmas double with Havant & Waterlooville coming up.
OXFORD CITY
Form: WDWDD
City have kept up their inconsistent form in terms of match outcomes but the Hoops continue to steadily pick up points in Vanarama National League South.
Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Braintree may have lacked goal scoring opportunities but it did show that the Hoops have what it takes to grind out results on the road.
Avoiding defeat on Saturday would once again be a positive point on the road, but City will be hoping for all three to strengthen their play-off credentials.
ONE TO WATCH: Jake Hutchinson
Hutchinson is on loan from Sky Bet League Two side Colchester United and he's certainly making a name for himself in National League South. With nine goals he is Eastbourne's top scorer but is on red-hot form with five goals in his last five games.
This isn't the striker's first foray into senior football after a successful loan spell at Hitchin Town last season but he'll be looking to improve his record against City as he continues to fill the boots of last season's top scorer Charlie Kendall.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME:
Twitter: @OxCityFC
Facebook: Oxford City FC
Instagram: @oxcityfc
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