Following some shock results over the last seven days, the National League returns this weekend with a full schedule of fixtures, as Chester and Tranmere Rovers kick things off on Friday night. The likes of Dagenham & Redbridge and Dover suffered shock midweek defeats at the hands of Maidstone United and Woking respectively, with the play-off places now more open than ever.
Chester ended a run of four straight defeats with a win Southport last time around, and the play-off outsiders will pose a strong threat to Tranmere at the Deva Stadium. However, having lost just one of their last five, Micky Mellon’s side will be the favourites for victory, with a victory moving the Super White Army second, albeit potentially for only 24 hours.
Elsewhere, Forest Green Rovers take on Macclesfield Town on Saturday afternoon, with Mark Cooper’s men hoping to heighten their chances of automatic promotion. With top two Lincoln City and Dagenham & Redbridge facing tough away trips, it could well be a good weekend for the likes of Forest Green and Dover Athletic, who are at home to Solihull Moors.
At the bottom, wins for Guiseley, Woking and Maidstone last time mean that Torquay United have now been sucked into the relegation zone. Kevin Nicholson’s side take on Guiseley at Plainmoor this weekend, in a game that the home side can’t afford to lose.
Betting tips for National League:
Forest Green Rovers v’s Macclesfield Town
Dover Athletic v’s Solihull Moors
Gateshead v’s Dagenham & Redbridge
A full schedule of fixtures on Saturday in the National League North means that there are likely to be more changes to the table come the end of the day, with many teams still harbouring promotion hopes. AFC Fylde‘s ten-point cushion at the top will be put to the test against mid-table Harrogate Town, while Salford and Kidderminster also face tough away trips this weekend.
FC Halifax Town are the form team in the division having won four of their last five, and Billy Heath’s men will be the overwhelming favourites to overcome Boston United at the Shay. The other form team in the league comes in the surprise form of Bradford Park Avenue, with Mark Bower’s side having risen up the table thanks to three consecutive wins. Despite not being clear of danger just yet, a home game against an out-of-form Gloucester City is the perfect opportunity to distance themselves yet further from the relegation zone.
Both Worcester City and Gainsborough Trinity are in desperate need of wins at the bottom, although their recent form suggests that fixtures with Darlington 1883 and Nuneaton Town are likely to be tense affairs.
Betting tips for National League North:
Bradford Park Avenue v’s Gloucester City
Halifax Town v’s Boston United
National League South:
Ebbsfleet reclaimed the lead at the top of the pile last weekend, albeit only on alphabetical order, and Daryl McMahon’s side will be the favourites to consolidate that position as they take on East Thurrock at Stonebridge Road. Meanwhile, Maidenhead are also looking forward to a home game, this time against a Hampton & Richmond team who have lost their last two.
One of the games of the weekend could well come from Vauxhall Road, with the in-form Chelmsford City looking to win on the road against Hemel Hempstead. Meanwhile, promotion chasing Dartford and Poole Town will also be at home this weekend, taking on Bath City and Hungerford Town respectively, as they look to consolidate their place in the play-offs.
At the bottom of the table, both Truro City and Weston-Super-Mare increased their survival chances with wins last time around, leaving Whitehawk and Gosport Borough well and truly in trouble.
Betting tips for National League South:
Dartford v’s Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v’s East Thurrock United
Poole Town v’s Hungerford Town
