HORNCHURCH, England (Interstat) — A crucial late-season National League South fixture sees Hornchurch host Chelmsford City on Tuesday, with both sides looking to solidify their standing in the promotion race.

The match at Bridge Avenue kicks off at 7:45 p.m. local time.

Hornchurch (16-10-8) enters with momentum from a 1-0 home victory over Ebbsfleet United on Saturday. Their form, however, has been inconsistent, with a 5-4 loss at Maidstone United preceding that win. The Urchins’ attack has shown potency, scoring three or more goals in three of their last ten outings, but defensive lapses have been costly.

Chelmsford City (14-12-8) arrives after a 1-1 home draw with Maidenhead United. The Clarets are unbeaten in their last three, including a wild 3-3 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge and a 3-0 rout of Enfield Town. Their recent head-to-head advantage provides a psychological edge; they defeated Hornchurch 2-0 in November. Striker Tom Blackwell remains a constant threat, key to their offensive output.

A statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a 2-1 victory for the home side.

This contest carries significant weight for playoff positioning. Hornchurch manager Steve Morison will demand a tighter defensive display to counter Chelmsford’s direct style. For Chelmsford, manager Robbie Simpson will rely on his team’s strong recent record in this fixture to secure a vital away result.

The fixture is one of only two matches scheduled in the division Tuesday, amplifying its importance. Both clubs face challenging league matches next Saturday, with Hornchurch traveling to Chippenham Town and Chelmsford City visiting Chesham United.

Injury reports for both squads were not immediately available. A capacity crowd is expected under the lights in east London.