Forest Green Rovers travel to the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Eastleigh, looking to bounce back from Wednesday night's defeat at Tamworth.
Robbie Savage's side had come off the back of a positive result at home to Wealdstone before that, and Rovers remain firmly in contention for a top-seven finish.
With just six games remaining, every point matters, and Rovers will be looking to return to winning ways as they head to Hampshire for a crucial clash at both ends of the table.
Ahead of Saturday's game, here is everything you need to know about our opponents.
The Opposition: Eastleigh
Nickname: 'The Spitfires'
League Position: 19th
Eastleigh find themselves in a relegation scrap this season, sitting 19th in the National League table with just six games remaining. The Spitfires have won just 11 of their 40 league games this campaign, and their recent form makes for difficult reading. Losing five of their last six matches, including defeats to Rochdale, York City, Hartlepool United, and most recently, Sutton United.
The two sides met earlier in the season, with Rovers coming away with all three points on Bank Holiday Monday back in August, courtesy of a late Tom Knowles free-kick. Rovers will be hoping for a similar outcome on Saturday.
In The Dugout: Richard Hill
Richard Hill is the man in the Eastleigh dugout.
The experienced manager is no stranger to the Silverlake Stadium, having managed the club on multiple occasions throughout his career. Hill was brought back as interim manager to steady the ship following the Spitfires’ decision to relieve Scott Bartlett of his duties last month.
With relegation still a very real threat, he will be desperate to get a result against a Rovers side pushing hard for the play-offs.
Player To Watch: Aaron Blair
Forward Aaron Blair has been Eastleigh's standout performer in front of goal this season.
Blair leads the Spitfires' scoring charts with 15 goals in all competitions, making him one of the most prolific forwards in the National League this campaign. His goals have been crucial in keeping Eastleigh's survival hopes alive, and he will be the player Rovers' defence will need to be most wary of on Saturday.
A clinical finisher who can punish any lapse in concentration, Rovers will need to be switched on to the threat Blair poses throughout the 90 minutes.
Head-To-Head:
Rovers have a good record against Eastleigh, not losing to the Spitfires in their previous six matches, winning their last three in a row.
20/02/2016 - Rovers 2-1 Eastleigh (Parkin 67, 88)
13/09/2016 - Rovers 1-1 Eastleigh (Murphy 57)
10/01/2017 - Eastleigh 1-1 Rovers (Doidge 24)
05/10/2024 - Eastleigh 1-3 Rovers (Cardwell 47, Knowles 57 & McCann 69)
08/02/2025 - Rovers 2-1 Eastleigh (McDonnell OG 64 & Robson 90)
25/08/2025 - Rovers 1-0 Eastleigh (Knowles 90+4)
