Preview: Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Dover Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Dagenham & Redbridge will be aiming for the second victory against Dover Athletic in just eight days when they welcome the Whites to Victoria Road on Sunday.

The hosts enter the fixture just outside the playoffs in eighth place, while Dover are rooted to the bottom of the National League table.

Match preview

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Dagenham & Redbridge may be a point outside of the playoff places, but due to the close nature of the National League, they may still harbour automatic promotion hopes, with the Daggers only five points off top spot.

They will be aiming for their fourth consecutive league victory on Sunday, while in their last two games they have scored three goals, while keeping two clean sheets.

One of those fixtures was a Boxing Day win over Sunday's opponents as a first-half brace from Matt Robinson helped the Daggers claim a 2-0 away victory against Dover.

Two days later, Daryl McMahon's side were celebrating another victory, with an Angelo Balanta strike proving enough to edge out Aldershot Town.

Having scored more goals at home (26) than any other side in the National League, the Daggers will be supremely confident of claiming three more points on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dover are experiencing a dismal season as they sit bottom of the National League table with minus eight points.

Andy Hessenthaler's side were deducted 12 points before the season even started after failing to fulfil their fixtures last season.

This term, Dover have only collected four draws in the league, while they are still searching for their first victory of the campaign.

After losing to Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day, Dover travelled to Woking, where goals from Jake Goodman and Ryan Hanson could not prevent their side from falling to a 3-2 defeat.

If they are to start picking up points, they need to improve defensively as Dover hold the worst defensive record in the league after shipping 48 goals this term.

Team News

Mauro Vilhete came into the Dagenham & Redbridge starting lineup for Wednesday's encounter with Aldershot, and the midfielder is expected to keep his place in the side for Sunday's contest.

After scoring a brace in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, Robinson will hope to find more goals from his midfield position on Sunday.

Balanta has scored three goals in his last four league games, and he will be looking to add to his tally against Dover.

As for the visitors, Alexis Andre is expected to keep his place in goal after making his debut for the club against Woking.

There is likely to be a change at left-back, with Junior Tiensia set to return to the starting lineup after dropping to the bench in midweek.

Meanwhile, Alfie Pavey is expected to be given the responsibility of leading the line for the visitors.

Dagenham & Redbridge possible starting lineup:
Justham; Wright, Zouma, Reynolds, Ling; Morias, Robinson, Sagaf, Vilhete; Balanta, Akanbi

Dover Athletic possible starting lineup:
Andre; Collinge, Ransom, Goodman, Tiensia; Woods, Hanson, Williamson; Da Costa, Arthur, Pavey

We say: Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Dover Athletic

With Dagenham & Redbridge in impressive form, we expect them to make light work of a struggling Dover side, and we think that the hosts will cruise to a comfortable victory.

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