Forest Green Rovers face Rushden & Diamonds at the New Lawn on Saturday

Rovers set to polish off Diamonds

Saturday April 12, 2008

Aldershot v Burton Albion

Prices correct at time of writing (6pm, Wednesday April 9, 2008).

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

I don't think any team in the play-offs have stayed there with a firm footing and maybe only Torquay can really consider themselves certainties for the play-offs, but there's still only seven points between Torquay and sixth-placed Exeter with just a few games left. Fifth-placed Burton will be looking for three points to pull away from Exeter and I think with Stevenage being in such poor form, if Burton just concentrate on themselves they'll be alright. It's just a matter of time before Aldershot win the league and they could win it here in front of their home fans.

Verdict: Home win

Altrincham v Salisbury

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

Salisbury don't have anything to play for but they've had a fantastic first season at this level. Fourth-from-bottom Altrincham have played 43 games and have just three games left. It could be that it's out of their hands and because of that they're one of the strong favourites for relegation. They're favourites in this match because Salisbury don't have much to play for. I'm going for a draw in this one.

Verdict: Draw

Cambridge United v Stafford Rangers

Home 2/7 Draw 7/2 Away 15/2

Cambridge got back on track in midweek and Stafford were relegated so it was differing fortunes for the two clubs. Stafford could just have one eye on next season now so it could be an ideal time for Cambridge to play Rangers. I can't see it going any other way than a Cambridge victory.

Verdict: Home win

Crawley Town v Weymouth

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

Crawley are flattering to deceive in some games, while Weymouth are not out of the relegation picture by any means and will be looking over their shoulders and just hoping that Altrincham, with fewer games, and Halifax, with their poor form, will be the thing that saves them. Weymouth are capable of a good result on their day and they obviously need this more than Crawley do. Weymouth could be a decent bet.

Verdict: Away win

Droylsden v Ebbsfleet United

Home 9/4 Draw 9/4 Away Evens

We had an interesting piece of news from one of our statisticians - Droylsden have been relegated because two of the teams just above them - Altrincham and Weymouth - have still to play each other so that means that those points will have to be distributed. It has been a disappointing first season at this level for Dave Pace and his team but they've entertained us, for example their home win against Oxford which was live on Setanta. But you can't really stay in the division if you concede 95 goals in 41 games and it's looking very likely that they will be one of the first teams in a long while to concede 100 goals in a season in this division.

Verdict: Away win

Exeter City v Northwich Victoria

Home 8/11 Draw 5/2 Away 3/1

The story continues for Northwich, who are bidding to complete a Great Escape, and they're the outsiders here. Exeter have had their struggles against the easier teams at home with too many draws this season. The Grecians are the favourites but Northwich - who are now 11 games unbeaten - could be the bet here.

Verdict: Away win

Forest Green Rovers v Rushden & Diamonds

Home 4/5 Draw 12/5 Away 11/4

Northwich boss Dino Maamria said Forest Green were the most organised and capable side they've played all season after the Vics' 1-1 draw with Rovers in midweek. But Forest Green have slipped out of the play-off places down to 8th spot and there's not much chance of them getting back into the top five. However, I'm going for the home side here.

Verdict: Home win

Grays Athletic v Halifax Town

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

Halifax are back in action with their third game in a week away to Grays and that's the last thing they need when they are struggling, but that's the demands of television. Grays are incredibly difficult to beat at home, just look at some of the big sides who have gone there and not managed to come away with anything. I think it will be the same story for the Shaymen. Grays at 8/13 could be a very decent bet considering their home form.

Verdict: Home win

Kidderminster Harriers v Histon

Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1

If Histon manage to maintain their good form and finish in the position that they're currently in, seventh, it will be an absolutely incredible achievement for the part-timers. Steve Fallon has got the team playing really well and they were odds-on for relegation before a ball was kicked this season. Ever since Kidderminster's hierarchy announced that they were slashing player budgets they've been on an incredible run of form scoring over three goals in each of five of their last six games. They could represent quite a good bet but Histon can't be underestimated.

Verdict: Draw

Oxford United v Farsley Celtic

Home 5/6 Draw 23/10 Away 11/4

Oxford are in 14th position and are just waiting for the season to end. The Us are the team that nobody wants to trust odds-on at the moment. Farsley had a big slip-up losing 2-1 at home to Droylsden in midweek, which was a chance to pull away from the other relegation contenders and they're right back in trouble now. I'm going for a draw here.

Verdict: Draw

Stevenage v Torquay

Home 11/8 Draw 9/4 Away 8/5

This is definitely one of the games of the weekend and a Stevenage win would lift them above Torquay on goal difference, although the Gulls have a couple of games in hand. Boro have had a very up and down time since Peter Taylor took over but I think that as long as he keeps them in the play-offs then I think they'll build towards playing those play-off games with a little more security. This is a very even game so I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

York City v Woking

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

I find it very disappointing that Woking have departed with their manager Frank Gray. He was getting them playing and started the season with one of the youngest teams and one of the lowest budgets in the division and it would have taken time to build up a team. To come 17th (Woking's current position) when they were one of the favourites for relegation isn't bad. I don't think they would have gone down and most of the 16 games they've lost have been against the bigger teams. Had he been given time there who knows what would have happened? York are really waiting for this season to end. I'm going for a share of the spoils here.

Verdict: Draw

Best Bets

Grays Athletic 8/13

Forest Green Rovers 4/5