- Evesham United have scored zero and conceded four goals in their one home game so far this Southern League Premier Division South campaign (0-0-1). Chichester City FC have scored one and conceded zero in their first away game of the new season (1-0-0). The home side have won one and lost two of their last three home matches in all current competitions. The visitors, by contrast, have won two and drawn one of their last three away matches in all competitions.
Chess match in prospect at The Spiers & Hartwell Stadium
Evesham United and Chichester City FC should bring two different styles of play to the pitch when they face off at The Spiers & Hartwell Stadium this Saturday and that could be a recipe for a strategic chess match in the early exchanges.
The hosts have begun their Southern League Premier Division South season bluntly at home, scoring zero from a single game in the West Midlands. Their current league position of 14th reflects this and they are level on three points with the visitors, who are 10th after two.
Evesham's 4-2-3-1 approach is one of low tempo and organisation before opportunity. The home team will look to sit deep, protect their boxes, and be ready to pounce on the ball in transition. It's a smart system and it should work against a Chichester side that play a more direct and high-tempo brand of football.
Visitors have better momentum
Evesham United's last five in all currents competitions have seen them win two, draw one and defeat two, while Chichester have won two, drawn two and lost one of their five most recent fixtures. That's a slightly steadier sequence and a better run of form for the C's, who are the value pick here.
The odds on Evesham are a decent 117/100, but Chichester are a shade higher at 193/100 and the draw is at 117/50, which doesn't accurately reflect the different form that these two teams have had in the league thus far.
Chichester have looked much sharper on the road in the Southern League Premier Division South, going unbeaten in their only away game and scoring a goal away from home, while Evesham have won once and lost twice in their most recent three home games.
Chess pieces could be on the move
The hosts are the favourites here, but they've not looked convincing at home in the league so far and Chichester have an away edge. That should be enough for the C's to nick this one, although it will be a close game.
Kai Churchley has been Evesham's spark in recent weeks, scoring three of his team's eight goals in their last five, but this could be a game where Chichester's directness exposes the host's weaknesses if they sit too deep.
That said, this is likely to be a cagey affair initially, so we're going to chance over 2.5 goals at 81/100 and both teams to score at 16/25 in what should be a competitive game of football.
