Braintree vs Aldershot Town Prediction

Howzit my bru! Grab a cold one and stoke the braai because we've got National League action coming your way this Tuesday evening. Braintree are hosting Aldershot Town and if the recent form is anything to go by, this could be a long night for the home faithful.

Braintree find themselves stuck down in 21st place with just 30 points from 33 games – not exactly the kind of form that gets the blood pumping, hey? They've managed only three wins from their last ten outings, scoring a measly seven goals in that stretch. At home it's even worse – just 0.50 goals per game in their last four at the crib. They did manage a 2-1 win over Eastleigh recently and scraped past Sutton Utd 1-0, but then went and got a proper donnering from York (5-0) and Boreham Wood (3-0). Their last outing was a 2-1 loss away to Altrincham, which tells you everything about their struggles against mid-table sides.

Now flip the boerewors and look at Aldershot Town – these okes are on fire! Sitting pretty in 12th with 39 points, they've taken 21 points from their last ten games. Six wins, three draws, and only one loss in that run. But here's the kicker – their away form is absolutely brilliant. Unbeaten in their last five on the road (three wins, two draws), scoring two goals per game and conceding just 0.60. They put three past Scunthorpe last weekend, smashed Eastleigh 4-1 away, and beat Hartlepool 3-0 on their travels. The only blot was a 5-1 hiding from Solihull Moors, but hey, even the best have off days.

The head-to-head makes for grim reading if you're a Braintree supporter – Aldershot have won five of the last nine meetings compared to Braintree's two. The last time they met it ended 2-2, but Aldershot have dominated this fixture historically.

With goal expectancies sitting at 0.55 for the hosts and 1.50 for the visitors, the numbers suggest Aldershot should control this match. Braintree's attack is blunter than a butter knife at the moment, while Aldershot are cutting through defenses like a hot knife through... well, you know.

Key Points:

• Aldershot are unbeaten in their last 5 away games (W3 D2), scoring 2.00 goals per game

• Braintree have scored just 0.50 goals per game in their last 4 home matches

• Aldershot have taken 21 points from their last 10 games compared to Braintree's 12

• The visitors have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 10 while scoring 21 goals

• Braintree sit 21st in the table, 9 points behind 12th-placed Aldershot

Summary:

Listen here, the form guide doesn't lie. Aldershot are playing lekker football right now and their away record is impressive. Braintree are struggling to find the back of the net at home and face a side that's been scoring for fun on the road. At 1.90, the away win looks like value to me. These okes are hungry and I reckon they'll come away with the three points.