Whites will be aiming to make it five matches unbeaten when they host Kent rivals Maidstone on Boxing Day.
Jay Saunders men drew 1-1 at Crabble in the same fixture last season and will be in confident mood after two matches unbeaten on the road.
But Chris Kinnear will be hoping his side can continue with their impressive defensive form.
Athletic have conceded just 17 goals so far this campaign – the least in the National League – and have kept three consecutive clean sheets.
MAIDSTONE’S RECENT FORM
MAIDSTONE 0-2 LEYTON ORIENT
Leyton Orient won back-to-back games in the National League for the first time since September with victory at the Gallagher Stadium.
Bondz N’Gala tucked away James Dayton’s corner ten minutes before the break to give the visitors the lead.
And Macauley Bonne doubled the advantage shorty afterwards with a sharp turn and shot after collecting Jake Caprice’s pass.
Joe Pigott missed from close range for the Stones late on and the win sees Orient move six points clear of the bottom four.
PREVIOUS MEETING
01/01/17 – MAIDSTONE 1-4 DOVER
Clinical finishing saw Dover climb two places into fourth in the National League after a 4-1 win against Maidstone United at a cold and wet Gallagher Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Moses Emmanuel’s double set Whites on their way and though Vas Karagiannis pulled one back for the hosts, Ross Lafayette and Ricky Miller ensured boss Chris Kinnear’s side came away with the three points.
Emmanuel broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion with his 10th league goal of the season in the 28th minute.
Maidstone keeper Lee Worgan brilliantly saved Emmanuel’s first effort from the edge of the area after a clever pass from Miller, but the rebound fell straight back for the forward to fire into the top corner.
Emmanuel then shot straight at Worgan when put through by Richard Orlu, but he did not have to wait long for his second as he smashed home Lafayette’s cross from an angle on 54 minutes to double Dover’s lead.
Maidstone searched for a way back into the game and Sam Magri was well positioned to clear away Alex Flisher’s drive.
The home side did pull a goal back on 58 minutes as Yemi Odubade’s low cross was slid home by Karagiannis.
Lafayette’s deadly strike on 74 ended any hopes of a comeback as he collected a ball from Orlu and fired across Worgan to take his league goal tally into double figures for the campaign.
Miller, who was feeling under the weather, sealed the win after he ran onto Lafayette’s through ball to slot home in injury time.
OTHER MEETING
26/12/16 – DOVER 1-1 MAIDSTONE
TICKET NEWS
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17
Over 60’s – £14
Under 18’s – £8
Under 11’s – Free (With an accompanying adult)
COVERAGE
The game starts at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, we will have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens!
Coverage starts from 2pm.
SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES (3pm kick off unless stated)
LEYTON ORIENT V DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (13:00)
ALDERSHOT TOWN V WOKING
BARROW V WREXHAM
BOREHAM WOOD V SUTTON UNITED
CHESTER V GUISELEY
EASTLEIGH V TORQUAY UNITED
EBBSFLEET UNITED V BROMLEY
GATESHEAD V HARTLEPOOL UNITED
MACCLESFIELD TOWN V FC HALIFAX TOWN
MAIDENHEAD UNITED V SOLIHULL MOORS
TRANMERE ROVERS V AFC FYLDE
AWAY TRAVEL
There is a coach travelling to Maidstone on Monday 1st January and it’s not too late to book a seat on it.
Prices are as follows:
Adult members £12, adult non-members £25 and accompanied child (Under 16) £6.
Please call or text Andy on 0793 4300335 to book your seat, or see him in the Centre Spot after the Boxing Day match against Maidstone.
Please note you are now required to pay for your seat in advance by cash or via bank transfer.