By Chip Kidger
Forget the international friendlies – this weekend’s most exciting football action is rooted firmly in the National League as the fight to secure promotion or avoid relegation continues apace.
Several ties could have huge ramifications at both ends of the division, so Marathonbet are back once again with their take on what might be in store this weekend in the National League.
Who will you be backing?
National League
Second-placed Sutton United’s automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow last Saturday as a late Stuart Lewis goal secured a 1-0 win for Maidstone United. Paul Doswell’s men will be looking for an instant response against a Chester side who look consigned to relegation. The Blues picked up a respectable 0-0 draw against Aldershot last time out but have found goals extremely hard to come by this campaign.
Back Sutton to win 2-0 against Chester at 26/5 with Marathonbet.
Another crunch game takes place at the Chigwell Construction Stadium as Dagenham & Redbridge take on AFC Fylde. With a 12-point deficit to make up, the Daggers have more than likely slipped out of play off contention after two damaging defeats against Halifax and Tranmere Rovers, whilst Fylde will be wary of allowing their own four-point gap to the final play off spot to grow any larger.
Back a draw in the 1st Half / AFC Fylde to win at Full Time against Dagenham & Redbridge at 29/5 with Marathonbet.
National League North
Darlington are quietly putting a decent run together in National League North, with three wins in their last four keeping them firmly in the play-off chasing pack. They head to an AFC Telford side full of renewed confidence after victory in their crucial six-pointer against Alfreton Town in midweek. Darlo fans enjoyed a 6-0 goalfest at Blackwell Meadows last time out against now-relegated North Ferriby Utd, but may have to be more patient on their travels here.
Back Darlington to win against AFC Telford at 87/50 with Marathonbet.
The unquestionable form team in this division are Southport after five wins in a row. They look to be timing their run to perfection as they chase down a play-off spot in National League North.
Kevin Davies has done a sterling job in transforming the fortunes of the Merseyside club since the turn of the year, with the free-scoring Sandgrounders netting three goals in every one of their last five matches. Relegation-threatened Alfreton Town are unlikely offer much resistance this weekend with no wins from their last five.
Back over 3.5 goals in Southport v Alfreton Town at 169/100 with Marathonbet.
National League South
Concord Rangers took a massive step towards securing their National League South status on Tuesday after surviving a late scare to secure a vital 2-1 victory away to fellow strugglers Chippenham Town. That result ended a four-game losing streak for Adam Flanagan’s charges, and they will be hoping to make it two in a row at rock-bottom Whitehawk.
The Brighton-based outfit may be too far adrift for a realistic shot at survival, but have at least made an admirable fist of things in recent weeks, losing only two of their last 10 league games. It may be trickier than anticipated for Concord to back up their win in midweek with three points here.
Whitehawk to draw with Concord Rangers at 61/25 with Marathonbet.
If you fancy backing any of these tips and hundreds more markets across Non-League football and many other sports head to Marathonbet: www.marathonbet.co.uk/en/
Odds correct as of 23rd March
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