Preview: Ebbsfleet United vs Horsham — National League – South, National League South – 6

Match preview · Compiled from live api-football data feed at the time of compilation

National League – South · National League South – 6
Tuesday 20 October, kickoff 19:45 · Stonebridge Road Stadium

Ebbsfleet United return to Stonebridge Road Stadium on Tuesday evening looking to maintain their impressive early-season momentum when they host Horsham in the National League South. Kick-off in Northfleet is at 19:45 BST, and with the Fleet sitting second in the table on 21 points, D. Searle’s side will be eager to keep the pressure on at the top of the division in front of their home supporters.

The form guide

Ebbsfleet United head into this fixture in outstanding shape. The Fleet have lost none of their nine league matches so far this season, winning six and drawing three, and their last five outings have yielded four wins and a draw — a sequence that underlines just how consistent they have been. With a form rating of 87 per cent, an attack rating of 100 per cent and a defensive record that has conceded precious little, Ebbsfleet look every inch a side with genuine promotion ambitions. Tuesday’s home fixture represents another opportunity to build on that platform.

Horsham, by contrast, arrive in uncertain form. The visitors have managed just one win in their last five matches, with two draws and two defeats rounding out a difficult recent run. A form rating of 33 per cent tells its own story, and with both their attacking and defensive numbers lagging well behind the hosts, D. Di Paola’s side will need to produce something considerably better than their recent displays if they are to take anything from this trip to Kent.

The head-to-head record

Date	Competition	Home	Score	Away
25 Nov 2025	National League – South	Ebbsfleet United	1-2	Horsham
24 Feb 2026	National League – South	Horsham	1-1	Ebbsfleet United

The recent history between these two sides makes for interesting reading and offers Horsham some encouragement despite their current difficulties. The last meeting between the clubs, played in November 2025 at Stonebridge Road, ended in a 2-1 victory for Horsham — a result that will not have been forgotten by the Fleet faithful. The subsequent encounter, in February 2026, finished 1-1 at Horsham’s ground. Those two results mean the visitors can point to a degree of resilience in this fixture, and Ebbsfleet will be wary of underestimating an opponent who has shown they are capable of causing an upset in this particular match-up.

The men in the dugout

Ebbsfleet United manager D. Searle has overseen a remarkable start to the campaign, guiding the Fleet to an unbeaten record through nine league games. His side’s organisation and consistency across all areas of the pitch suggest a well-drilled outfit with a clear identity, and Searle will be looking to ensure his players remain focused as the fixture list continues to pile up. For Horsham, D. Di Paola faces the challenge of arresting a dip in form and finding a way to be competitive against one of the division’s standout sides. How he sets his team up defensively is likely to be a key factor in determining how the evening unfolds.

Players to watch

No individual has emerged from the data as a standout league scorer for either side heading into this fixture, which suggests the goals have been shared around both squads. For Ebbsfleet, that collective contribution has been a genuine strength — their perfect attack rating points to a team that creates and converts chances with real efficiency. Horsham will need their own attacking players to step up and take any opportunities that come their way, as their attack rating of 42 per cent suggests they have found the net far less freely in recent weeks. The player who can make the difference in the final third on Tuesday night could well prove decisive.

The prediction

The numbers paint a fairly clear picture of where the advantage lies. Ebbsfleet’s form, attacking output and defensive solidity all point strongly in their favour, and home advantage at Stonebridge Road adds another layer of confidence for the Fleet. The prediction engine gives the hosts a 45 per cent chance of victory, with the draw also rated at 45 per cent — a reflection of Horsham’s ability to frustrate in this fixture, as the head-to-head record demonstrates. Horsham’s chances of a win are rated at just 10 per cent, and their recent form makes it difficult to argue against that assessment. On balance, Ebbsfleet United look the most likely side to take all three points, though a hard-fought draw would not come as a great surprise given the history between these clubs.

League standings

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Maidstone Utd	12	8	1	3	+9	25
2	Ebbsfleet United	9	6	3	0	+16	21
3	Salisbury	11	6	3	2	+12	21
4	Billericay Town	11	6	3	2	+11	21

Preview data via api-football. Form, head-to-head, standings, manager and prediction figures sourced live at the time of compilation; squad and team-news availability subject to last-minute change.