Barnet v Grimsby
3/10 Barnet -0.25ah 1.95
Massive game and match of the weekend. Both sides need to win for their season quests. Barnet need to win or will likely be overtaken by Bristol Rovers in time, with the Gasmen just four points behind Barnet. Grimsby know Halifax, who have two games in hand, will be after their play-off spot if they can’t get 3 points.
The big blow for the league leaders is the loss of Akinde to suspension which will make a massive difference but Grimsby have their own problems with, Palmer and Hannah being out of the game again. Pittman and Brown have trained but are unlikely to start and the same team as the one that faced Bristol Rovers is expected to start and that is a team Barnet can beat at home. Grimsby lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers last weekend, expecting a similar result.
Bristol Rovers v Altrincham
3/10 Bristol Rovers over 1.5 goals 1.72
Bristol Rovers are looking to take advantage of Barnet’s stuttering form but they find themselves drawing too many games away from home. On their own patch they can be relied on. Form is important and last weekend Bristol Rovers got a massive win at Grimsby and that confidence can take them past Barnet at this rate, where they trail by just four points.
Altrincham have been excellent this season after their promotion from the Conference North, and have won four of their last six games and their safety is well and truly assured as they sit in 15th. Even though the manager is playing down their league position, it certainly will be give them confidence to continue to play expensively and perhaps even more so.
Alty should give Rovers a very good game and even though they’re likely to concede a few goals, that does not necessarily mean they won’t find their own opportunities.
Forest Green v Telford
2/10 Forest Green -1ah 2.08
Forest Green continue to show their ruthless side and take full advantage of striker Jon Parkin’s blistering form in front of goal.
Green sit in fourth place and look like they will manage a place in the Play Offs at this rate. At home they have lost just three times in 17 and have scored 29- I can see them improving on this here. Telford threw away a lead last weekend to leave with 0 points with their destiny very much being in the division below. Demoralising.
Telford are nine points from safety and are rooted to the bottom of the league. A huge 69 goals have been conceded in their 32 games played and a few more are likely to go in on Saturday.
Halifax v Braintree
1/10 Halifax to win to nil 3.60
Halifax look to keep up with the pack with consistent results while Braintree fall in to the area of mid-table mediocrity. Halifax need to win to ensure a Play Off spot is in their sights as they look to overtake Grimsby with a couple of games in hand but that means winning the home games to lower league opposition.
Halifax have a great home record with 10 wins from 15 and have conceded just 16 goals. Braintree look safe in 16th place and have little to play for at the top or bottom of the division. Just 17 goals from their 14 away games is hardly prolific and against the strong Halifax I am expect them to falter in front of net again.
Dover v Southport
1/10 Dover to win to nil 2.60
Dover themselves have faltered in the past two weeks, first signs of weakness for many months- a win here is very much required if they want an outside shot of a Play off place. At home Dover have won nine of their 15 game sand conceded just 10 goals which is a great record. One they can improve on against a poor Southport with little confidence.
Southport however have struggled for some time and especially in front of goal. An important home point was picked up last weekend against Macclesfield but wins will be required to stay up. The Sandgrounders are one place above relegation and for good reason, with just 8 wins from their 32 games.
Southport have scored just 18 goals from their 16 away games.
Alfreton v Aldershot
1/10 Alfreton to win and both teams to score 5.80
A huge huge huge game at the bottom of the division. Both sides could go down but it is likely to be at the expense of the other. Alfreton have got themselves back in contention for safety in the past month while Aldershot have kept dropping.
The Shots scored a massive last minute goal last weekend to defeat Welling which may well boost their low morale and the Shots know a win here will separate them from the pack, as least for the time being.
Alfreton know a win cannot only help their safety cause but also keep Aldershot well within the mire. Alfreton looked very tired in the Braintree game and the week long rest will have done them good.
Previous to the Braintree tie, The Reds had shown their best form. Aldershot may not necessarily score many from open play but in a game of this importance I expect Alfreton to go for it and leave opportunities for the away side.
Last weekend Alfreton handed plenty of opportunities to Braintree and are likely to offer the same courtesy to Aldershot. Aldershot have lost all three games on the road in 2015, failing to score a single goal and conceding five, and even though I am predicting a goal I am also predicting a defeat.
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