I’m starting to believe in Solihull Moors again, but I think the visit of Notts County will be a step too far.

The Moors are generally in better shape. Their performances have improved, two defeats against Barnet and Aldershot Town followed by victory at Dorking Wanderers and the addition of target man Mark Beck, a missing piece to the jigsaw. However, the victory on Saturday came against a side with ten men for a half of football and they finished the game with only three defenders – full-back James Clarke had to step in at centre-back. The Moors head into this game most needing to bring in an emergency loan or select a makeshift defence.

That isn’t ideal when facing a Notts County side who can lay claim to being the best side in the division. While Wrexham now lead the way, Notts are averaging 2.32 points-per-game and their xG numbers for and against the best in the division. They have won 14 of their last 19 games and won ten of 14 at home, remaining unbeaten. They have not conceded more than ten shots in a league match in their last ten and have managed at least ten shots on the opposition goal in their last 17. Cedwyn Scott probably comes back in for this fixture too – he was rested at the weekend.

The Moors will get stronger, but they’re not ready for this challenge just yet.

As soon as Mark Cooper came in at Yeovil Town, it immediately felt as though their survival would be secured.

Cooper doesn’t have the greatest reputation in the game but he’s a smart operator, an individual that knows football, is adaptable when he needs to be and can work on a budget. Furthermore, he’s a big enough name to get supporters onside despite off-field issues and has been open and honest with them from the beginning. The Glovers are unbeaten at home under Cooper and have lost just one of nine matches, that being an away loss at Bromley. They are improving too, Cooper’s utilisation of the loan and free market seeing an improvement on their performance data – their first five games saw them operating at –0.64xG but they are net positive after their last five. They were also able to field a full 16 without a substitute goalkeeper for the first time at the weekend.

Wealdstone have been the surprise package of the season to date, sitting in the top ten despite their part-time status. However, they are having issues defensively, keeping one clean sheet in their last eight matches, and they ought to have conceded in that one. They have failed to win their last three away matches – at Barnet, Bromley and Maidenhead United – while also losing in the FA Trophy to National League South outfit Chelmsford City. They have given away at least 1.5xG in six of their last eight and the only game they’ve won the xG battle in was against Scunthorpe United, who were in disrepair at the time.

A case of picking a very good team to win at home against a very poor team.

Woking are in great form. They have won each of their last four league matches and ten of their last 13. They have conceded one or zero goals in ten of their last 11 matches and scored two or more in five of their last six. They are also averaging two points-per-game at home this season, helped by having won four of the five home matches they have played against the bottom seven. In fact, they have won eight of nine overall against sides in the bottom eight, conceding more than one goal just once. Woking are third in the league table, have the sixth best xGD and sixth best xG at home.

The Cards come into this game having been able to rest at the weekend due to Wrexham’s FA Cup commitments, a luxury not afforded to Torquay United who picked up an important three points by beating basement outfit Maidstone United. They have won their last two games but both have been 1-0 home victories. They have lost nine of their 13 matches away from home and scored just seven goals. They have the second worst xGD across the division and worst away from home, averaging -1.22xG per game. Torquay have played each of the top four this season and conceded at least three goals in each of those matches – 18 goals in total.