Exeter City face Farsley Celtic at St James Park on Saturday

Grecians to put Celts to the sword

Saturday February 23, 2008

Cambridge United v Forest Green Rovers

Prices correct at time of writing (2pm, Wednesday February 20, 2008).

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Cambridge have really capitalised on the poor form of Burton and Stevenage to go third with a victory at Halifax in their last league game and have lost only one of their last six. United lost 3-1 at Forest Green earlier this season and up to then they were unbeaten but are 13 points behind leaders Aldershot. Torquay are also above them and with a game in hand so I think United will be hoping to consolidate their play-off position. Forest Green have only one win in five but remain seventh in the table. Rovers' 2-1 defeat at home to Stafford Rangers will have been hard for manager Jim Harvey and the fans to take and they are now six points off the play-offs. Cambridge are the favourites and I'm going for them.

Verdict: Home win

Exeter City v Farsley Celtic

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

This is a big game at both ends of the table. Exeter are sixth and unbeaten in seven matches with just one defeat in their last 12 league games. But it really shows the task they've got to get into the play-offs because the teams above them haven't been in great form and the Grecians still have ground to make up. Exeter have had too many draws, 13 in total, but they are only two points off the play-offs. Farsley on the other hand are 21st in the table and only two points off safety. But Celtic have got games in hand and have only lost one in their last four. They have a lack of away wins, only two to their name, but I think they'll be eyeing up the teams above them and thinking they can get out of trouble. Obviously Exeter are the favourites considering their position and I reckon it's three points for the home side.

Verdict: Home win

Halifax Town v Stafford Rangers

Home 8/11 Draw 9/4 Away 100/30

Stafford have won their last two matches, which makes it three wins all season. They've beaten hapless Weymouth home and away and got a great result against Forest Green last time out. Rangers will be eyeing up the fact that they've got 16 points now and are 22nd in the league. Halifax are in 18th place, seven points off relegation and will be one of the clubs Stafford will be hoping to draw into the relegation battle.

Verdict: Draw

Kidderminster Harriers v Salisbury City

Home 7/5 Draw 11/5 Away 8/5

Salisbury are in absolutely fantastic form and unbeaten in their last 10 league matches and they've put themselves right back into contention for the play-offs. They are only eight points off a top-five spot now and that's really amazing form considering that this is their first season up at this level. Kidderminster are mid-table and this really sums it up, they are 16 points off the play-offs and 16 points off relegation. The Harriers have won 1-0 at Cambridge this season but on the other side of the coin lost at rock-bottom Droylsden. Kidderminster's last game at Crawley was called off so the players might be fresh for this one but their inconsistency has led us to price this game up very evenly. I'm going for an away win.

Verdict: Away win

Stevenage Borough v Grays Athletic

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Grays have underachieved this season, they've got a great defence but a lack of end product up front. Athletic haven't won or scored in their last three games and are 14th in the table. Like Kidderminster they are unlikely to be in amongst it at either end of the table and just need to build for next season. They have one of the best defences in the division and considering their position that does say something for Grays boss Justin Edinburgh. Stevenage were well beaten at Aldershot last weekend and there's now a 14-point gap between them and the leaders. Boro will just be hoping to regain form and not let their play-off charge slip because Exeter, Forest Green and Salisbury are breathing down their neck and they've had five games without a win. This is an interesting one to price up because Stevenage in their current form are 4/6 but at odds-on would you be backing them if they haven't won in five games? Grays at 7/2 is a long shot. I think the draw is probably the best bet.

Verdict: Draw

Weymouth v Histon

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

Weymouth will definitely be looking over their shoulders. They're in 19th place and only two points away from relegation danger. New manager John Hollins is yet to get off the mark with a win, with no victories in four. This is a must-win game for the Terras against Histon, who are one of the success stories of this first Blue Square Premier season along with Salisbury. Histon are 10th in the league and only 10 points off the play-offs so if they win this one they are right back up in the mix for a play-off place. Weymouth are the outsiders even on their home patch and that just shows what sort of season they have been having. Histon are the favourites and I'm going for them.

Verdict: Away win

Woking v Northwich Victoria

Home 4/7 Draw 12/5 Away 9/2

Woking boss Frank Gray had done an absolutely fantastic job up until their defeat at Farsley last week with a very young side. He inherited some of the players at the start of the season and didn't know exactly what his best 11 was. Gray has got them playing well in defence and they are 15th in the table. To lose 3-0 at Farsley was a huge disappointment for Woking, especially with the defence they have but they have now only won three of their last 10 games. However, they will be safe from relegation and there was always a chance they might get sucked into the battle to beat the drop so I think they will be very happy with the position they're in. Northwich did have a decent run of form under Dino Maamria but they've slipped up again recently and really look to be staring relegation in the face.

Verdict: Home win

Best Bets

Cambridge United 4/6

Histon 11/8

Banker Bet

Exeter City 4/9