Northwich Victoria face Grays Athletic on Saturday

The Vics eye Great Escape

Saturday April 19, 2008

Ebbsfleet United v Altrincham

Prices correct at time of writing (4pm, Wednesday April 16, 2008).

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

Ebbsfleet's form has dropped away; they did have very outside chance of the play-offs just after they reached the FA Trophy final but I think that was a bridge too far for them. They're in that group of teams from seventh down to 14th that are only separated by 10 points and I think they'll be happy with that. The Fleet will be looking to win at Wembley and if not, they'll need to look to the play-offs next season as their big aim.

Altrincham need to win their remaining two games because they are going to have an agonising wait for other matches to be played, especially the games in hand for the other teams in relegation trouble. Ebbsfleet are the favourites, but they have been in poor form while Altrincham definitely have more to play for. I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Farsley Celtic v Forest Green Rovers

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

It's extremely tight down at the bottom and this is a must-win game for Farsley, who have 39 points from 43 games and probably need two more wins to be safe. It's going to be a very difficult game at home to Forest Green, who are one of the best teams in the division and have just missed out on the play-offs. Farsley are the favourites with more to play for, but I can see punters really being tempted by Forest Green at 9/5. But I'm going for Farsley here.

Verdict: Home win

Halifax Town v Aldershot

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

It's a good time for Halifax to be playing Aldershot, who drew 1-1 at Exeter in midweek to seal the Blue Square Premier title. Amazingly the Shots are the outsiders in this match and I wonder how many punters will take advantage of that. I'm sure Garry Waddock will field a strong Aldershot side, they'll want to win and get 100 points and go for the points record. Halifax are the favourites as they have more to play for but I'm going for the Shots.

Verdict: Away win

Histon v Droylsden

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

It's quite remarkable that relegated Droylsden have picked up a few wins recently and are playing quite decent football. Histon have had an amazing season and it's been a great campaign for them to build on. Histon are at home and are the favourites but the draw could be a decent bet at 11/4.

Verdict: Draw

Northwich Victoria v Grays Athletic

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

Northwich lost at Exeter and then 1-0 at Torquay in midweek after an 11-match unbeaten run and those two defeats have put them back in trouble. I think every side down there will be eyeing two wins from their remaining games and this is maybe the match where Northwich could kick-start another run. Grays are not particularly good away from home and seem to have dropped off in recent weeks. The Vics are the favorites and I'm going for Dino Maamria's men to get three points.

Verdict: Home win

Rushden & Diamonds v Exeter City

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

Exeter need a result at Rushden and are the favourites but they've had far too many draws this season to be backing them away from home. Rushden have nothing to play for but could perform against the Grecians in this one. Exeter are sixth but the margins are so tight and one win could get City back up to third spot. I'm going for a draw in this clash.

Verdict: Draw

Salisbury v Cambridge United

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

This is a very similar fixture to Rushden v Exeter. Salisbury have had a great season and will want to go out on a high in front of their home fans. Cambridge are the favorites with more to play for but can they be trusted after losing 2-1 at home to Stafford? Jimmy Quinn will really need to rally the troops for this all-important game. I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Stafford Rangers v Crawley Town

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

Stafford will be playing for pride and places next season as boss Steve Bull has said there could be a mass clear-out. Rangers are the outsiders, with Crawley, who are in very good form, the favourites. The draw might be the best bet, with 0-0 at 8/1 looking good value.

Verdict: Draw

Torquay United v York City

Home 8/15 Draw 11/4 Away 4/1

Torquay are in great form and have won their last three matches against Northwich, Stevenage and Oxford. York have lost their last two home matches to Oxford and Woking while their last win was 4-0 away to Stafford. The Gulls will be looking to maintain their form ahead of the play-offs and they're the favourites here. I'm going for a home victory.

Verdict: Home win

Weymouth v Kidderminster Harriers

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

Weymouth could boost there survival chances with a win against Kidderminster and you can't see all the other relegation strugglers getting 44 points if the Terras win. Harriers have been in good form but they have nothing to play for. This is a bit of a Cup final for Weymouth and they're the favorites, with Harriers the outsiders. It's a home win for me.

Verdict: Home win

Woking v Oxford United

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

Oxford have picked up recently with wins over York and Farsley in their last two matches but the big test for them will be next season after such a disappointing campaign this year. Woking have gone through a lot of changes off the field in recent weeks and they've got former Grays manager Justin Edinburgh there now. He's a very good defensive coach and I can see Woking playing for the draw in this one just to get their confidence back. This is a very even game and I'm going for the draw at 11/5.

Verdict: Draw

Best Bets

Aldershot 8/5

Northwich 10/11

Rusden & Diamonds v Exeter City Draw 9/4