Maidenhead United will be hoping to kick their 2024-25 National League campaign into gear when they host Altrincham on Tuesday at York Road Stadium.
The home side are 20th and have no points after two matchweeks, while the visitors are 16th with three points after two games.
Match preview
The hosts began their season with a 2-0 defeat against Eastleigh on August 10, and they will perhaps feel aggrieved with the loss considering they had eight of their nine shots from inside Eastleigh's penalty area.
Eastleigh had just three attempts inside the box, and only took the lead thanks to an own goal from Maidenhead's William De Havilland, before they doubled their advantage after Jake Vokins's cross from a long-range free kick curled into the back of the net.
Maidenhead lost 2-1 in their second National League match against Solihull Moors on August 17.
The Magpies' two defeats in 2024-25 means they have lost their last three league games, though prior to these matches they did win four of the previous five matches.
Boss Alan Devonshire, who has been in charge since May 2015, has an overall record at the club of 163 wins, 98 draws and 174 losses.
Although Devonshire's side lost at home against Eastleigh, they were unbeaten in the previous five fixtures at York Road Stadium and had won four of those matches.
Opponents Altrincham began their campaign with a 1-0 win against Woking on August 10 thanks to a 27th-minute winner from Tylor Golden.
However, the match was not without controversy as Altrincham's Edward Jones was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 11th minute, before Woking's Dale Gorman was dismissed after he received a second yellow card in the 53rd minute.
The Robins were comprehensively beaten 5-0 by Sutton United in their second National League game and had gone 4-0 down before half time.
Manager Phil Parkinson has been in charge since April 2017, when the club were in the National League North, and his team finished fourth in England's fifth tier last term.
Parkinson's side come into the clash having lost two of their last three competitive games, though prior to this they won seven of the previous nine matches.
Altrincham's away record has been mixed recently, as while they have won three of their last six fixtures on the road, they have lost their last two away games.
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Team News
Maidenhead United will almost certainly start striker Shawn McCoulsky after he scored last time out against Solihull Moors.
Jayden Mitchell-Lawson and Joshua Johnson could both be given wide attacking roles, while Casey Pettit could shield the back four.
As for the visitors, they will be without Edward Jones due to the red card he received against Woking, and Lewis Baines could continue at left-back in his absence.
Tom Crawford will likely play in a deeper midfield position for Altrincham, while Justin Amaluzor could start alongside him in the middle of the park.
Maidenhead United possible starting lineup:
C Ross; Bell, Massey, Lokko, Dyce; Smith, Petit, Ferguson; Mitchell-Lawson, McCoulsky, Johnson
Altrincham possible starting lineup:
E Ross; Banks, Southern-Cooper, Osborne, Baines; Amaluzor, Crawford, Haygarth; Golden, Nuttal, Newby
We say: Maidenhead United 1-2 Altrincham
Given Altrincham's proven record in the National League, as well as their strong showing last term, it would not be surprising to see them pick up their second win of the season on Tuesday.
However, their 5-0 defeat against Sutton United will give hosts Maidenhead United reason to believe that they can pose a significant challenge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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