York City face Grays Athletic at KitKat Crescent on Saturday

No Gray day for Minstermen

Saturday February 9, 2008

Droylsden v Altrincham

Prices correct at time of writing (2.30pm, Wednesday February 6, 2008).

Home 6/4 Draw 11/5 Away 6/4

I think if Altrincham are going to give themselves that little bit of leeway when it comes to the end of the season they've got to be earmarking a victory here against a Droylsden side who were thrashed 8-0 by Crawley in the FA Trophy last weekend.

It's a hard game to call, the draw should probably be shorter than the 11/5 on offer. Graham Heathcote will get Altrincham motivated and although people might say it's heart over head, I actually fancy Altrincham to get three points this weekend.

I think it would be a huge win, obviously the Robins are three points behind Weymouth, who are in 19th place, but Weymouth have two games in hand. Altrincham could really do with a result, a draw wouldn't be a total disaster but if Altrincham win and Farsley lose, the gap would be five points and Farsley have got to come to Moss Lane. I'm going to go for Altrincham, I think 6/4 is fair value.

Verdict: Away win

Ebbsfleet United v Exeter City

Home 6/5 Draw 9/4 Away 15/8

Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish is manager of the month and United have gone nine games unbeaten. They are now in play-off contention, while Exeter are just one point off the play-offs. I think the crucial thing here is home advantage. Originally I was going to go for a draw but Ebbsfleet have had 14 games at home, with 10 wins and four defeats. They've had no draws, which is incredible. Aldershot are the only other team who haven't drawn at home this season. I think the Fleet will get three more points against the Grecians and I'll take them to win at 6/5.

Verdict: Home win

Farsley Celtic v Aldershot Town

Home 4/1 Draw 12/5 Away 8/13

I don't like tipping odds-on away but I really think the leaders Aldershot at 8/13 is a nap. I think the Shots should win against Farsley as they're chasing hard to get back into the Football League. Gary Waddock's men are playing well enough at the moment to suggest they can get promotion. They've dropped a few points in the last month but I think against Farsley, I know what I'd rather do, I'd rather back it than lay it, and that's what you've got to do as a punter. I think it's Aldershot all the way.

Verdict: Away win

Northwich Victoria v Salisbury City

Home 9/4 Draw 9/4 Away evens

I'll take the evens on Salisbury at Northwich and that'll do nicely for me. Obviously Salisbury are a different kettle of fish at home, they've won seven at home but they've won four on the road and they don't concede too many goals. I think a narrow away win has to be the call.

Verdict: Away win

Oxford United v Histon

Home 6/5 Draw 9/4 Away 15/8

I can't believe Oxford are in 15th place. I expected them to do a lot more but they just haven't scored enough goals, that's been the big problem. Histon away from home have won an unbelievable eight times, it's been the home form that has been a big problem for them. At the moment I think another draw is on the cards here. Neither side have really impressed me although you have to say Histon have had a far better season by picking up these victories on the road. This will be tough for Oxford but I'm going to go for the draw at 9/4.

Verdict: Draw

Rushden & Diamonds v Halifax Town

Home 10/11 Draw 9/4 Away 5/2

Rushden have not won as many at home as you'd like to think but this is a decent opportunity for them. There's four points between these two sides but only one place between them so the gap could significantly rise here if Rushden win and I expect them to do so. I think Rushden will make home advantage count and I'll go for them to beat Halifax.

Verdict: Home win

Stafford Rangers v Weymouth

Home 13/8 Draw 11/5 Away 11/8

Stafford were knocked out by Tamworth in their FA Trophy replay on Tuesday night and that was a result that I was expecting in the first match. That scoreline will be a big blow for Stafford. They will look at the table and think we've got no chance of staying up. Weymouth are far from safe themselves and will know that if they lose and Altrincham win at Droyslden then both sides will be on 26 points. However, I don't see Weymouth slipping up and I'm amazed they're 11/8. I know it's obvious, but when you're getting odds against on something you think should be odds-on, you've got to be on them so I look no further than Weymouth.

Verdict: Away win

Torquay United v Kidderminster Harriers

Home 1/2 Draw 13/5 Away 5/1

Kidderminster away from home struggle a bit. Torquay look a good thing here and I think they will be too strong for the Harriers, as the Gulls play well at home. They've won a few times away from home but recently they've lost two of their last three away so it's a narrow home win for me. The price isn't great but Torquay should be able to continue their promotion bid.

Verdict: Home win

Woking v Burton Albion

Home 15/8 Draw 9/4 Away 6/5

This should be a good game and I think it might be a tight match. This is one of those rare games where I'm going to save on the scoreless draw. 0-0 is a big possibility, both teams are tight and diligent and I think it will be a draw. These two are quite evenly matched in the sense that Woking play quite well at home, while Burton have lost just once on the road this season. Albion are right in the mix for the play-offs, I don't think they'll win the league but it should be another point away from the Pirelli Stadium.

Verdict: Draw

York City v Grays Athletic

Home 5/6 Draw 9/4 Away 14/5

York are the form side at the moment and you can't really rule out a play-off push between now and the end of the season. The Minstermen are only nine points off Cambridge and bear in mind there are some big games between play-off rivals like Cambridge and Stevenage this weekend, someone has got to drop points so they could easily get into the mix. The only way to do so is to keep this tremendous run going. York are the form team in the Blue Square Premier in the last six games, they've picked up 14 points, a point more than any of the other rivals and they are gradually closing the gap. KitKat Crescent is where they have got to get the wins and pick up what they can away from home and I would expect the Minstermen to win at 5/6 against Grays and continue their rise up the table.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Aldershot 8/13

Weymouth 11/8

Forest Green v Crawley (see separate preview - Crawley to win at 2/1)

Banker Bet

York 5/6