Tuesday's Blue Square North Preview

Kettering host Solihull Moors on New Year's Day as the current league leaders look to maintain their fantastic 2007 form.

AFC Telford v Tamworth

High-flying AFC Telford will aim to eradicate the gap that separates the top five when they host struggling Tamworth at New Bucks Head.

The Bucks will be brimming with confidence after their 3-0 away rout at Worcester, while the Lambs will be looking to bounce back after a 2-1 home loss to Blue Square North leaders Kettering.

Telford have been ruthless at home so far this term, hammering three goals passed Vauxhall Motors and Blyth Spartans, while Tamworth's recent away form has been far from impressive.

The only other encounter between these sides ended in a dour goaless draw at the Lamb stadium, however both sides will be targeting the much-needed three points to advance their season's ambitions.

Blue Square have odds of 20/21 off two to three goals being scored in this game.

Alfreton Town v Hucknall

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law will be hoping that his side can put an end to their four-match winless run in the Blue Square North when Hucknall travel to the Impact Arena.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back in this local derby after the Reds were ousted 2-1 at Boston and the Yellows ended an impressive four-game unbeaten streak at home to Gainsborough Trinity.

The Reds will be forced into one change as Kyle McFadzean is suspended after accumulating five cautions.

The previous six head to head battles between the sides have been rather close affairs, with Alfreton and Hucknall recording two wins a piece and two matches ending in a stalemate.

Blue Square are going with odds of 11/10 for an Alfreton win

Barrow v Vauxhall Motors

Vauxhall Motors will be eyeing a much-needed win to move away from the dreaded drop-zone when they travel to Holker Street to face Barrow.

Both teams are poised perilously close to the relegation strugglers and will need to amass all three-points to advance to a more secure spot on the Blue Square North standings.

The Motormen will be high on confidence after their 2-0 home win against Burscough, while the Bluebirds will look to go one better after their 1-1 draw at Southport.

Barrow hold a slightly better pedigree than Motors in the previous clashes between the sides, winning three, with one drawn match of the previous six fixtures.

Blue Square is backing Vauxhall Motors for the win with odds of 3/1

Burscough v Southport

Promotion hopeful's Southport win aim to continue their recent unbeaten form against Burscough when they visit Victoria Park on New Years Day.

The Linnets have been in poor form of late - struggling with a five-match unbeaten streak that has seen them fall off the pace to 9th place in the Blue Square North.

The sides met on Boxing Day at Haig Avenue when a Barrett strike meant the Sandgrounders earned the bragging rights between the sets of supporters with a 1-0 win.

Southport manager Peter Davenport has a fully-fit squad to chose from as Liam Blakeman joined his team mates at training after undergoing his full session of treatment.

Blue Square is tipping a Southport win at 11/10

Gainsborough v Boston United

Having ended their run of six straight defeats, Boston United head into the New Year's Day trip to the Northolme against Gainsborough Trinity hoping to record back-to-back victories

Manager Tommy Taylor urged the players to record successive victories for the first time since October.

He told bufc.co.uk: "Everybody within the camp is relieved to have finally recorded a win and hopefully the lads can now go out and play without pressure at Gainsborough on New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, the Holy Blues are struggling with a host of injury problems that include Richard Pell (back spasm), Ryan Mallon, Gavin Allott and Simon Bird while it is uncertain whether the weekend's flu victims Danny Steadman, Jamie Smith, Paul Clayton will be fit enough to feature.

For the visitors Matt Bloomer and Simon Weaver are both pushing for recalls and there will be at least one change after Adam Smith returned to Peterborough United on Saturday.

Stewart Talbot is nearing a return from calf problems, but Matt O'Halloran and Lee Crockett are still sidelined indefinitely.

Gainsborough are the Blue Square favourites with odds off 6/5

Harrogate Town v Blyth Spartans

Second-placed Harrogate Town will be looking to close the gap between league-leaders Kettering when they host a struggling Blyth Spartans side at Wetherby Road on New Years Day.

In the recent Boxing Day encounter between the sides, Town walked away with a narrow yet important 1-0 victory as they continue to stake their claim for a play-off place.

The Spartans will be aiming to recover after two consecutive home losses that has placed them uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

It will be a tough task though, as bar a 1-0 loss to Worchester, Town have been formidable on their home turf.

The last three fixtures between the teams have ended with a win a piece and a draw.

Blue Square believes a draw is unlikely with odds of 10/3

Hinckley v Nuneaton

It's a top against bottom clash when Hinckley entertain Nuneaton on Tuesday afternoon.

Hinckley languish in 21st spot on the league table with just 16 points, while Nuneaton sit in sixth spot, nine points behind leaders Kettering.

Both side's have been poor in defence this season, so this clash should be an open affair. It will come down to how many a side can score as opposed to how many they can keep out.

Blue SQ have odds of 21/10 for the match to produce 4 or more goals.

Kettering v Solihull Moors

Leaders Kettering play host to Solihull Moors on New Year's Day with the home side keen to extend their advantage at the top of the table.

Kettering have been superb in both attack and defence this season, whilst Solihull have been the complete opposite. The visitors on Tuesday have been poor in defence, shipping in 44 goals in their 22 games.

With the home side's goalscoring record matched with the visitor's defensive record, the match should produce a few goals.

Blue SQ have odds of 14/1 for Kettering to win the match 4-0.

Redditch v Worcester City

Redditch play host to Worcester City on New Year's Day with the home side eager to climb their way out of trouble.

Redditch sit in 17th spot on the table, just six points ahead of bottom club Leigh RMI. Worcester, however, are at the top end of the table, 13 points off leaders Kettering.

Ironically, Worcester have a worse defensive record than that of Redditch, and if the home side want to take anything from the game, they will need to exploit that weakness.

Blue SQ have odds of 13/5 for the match to end in a stalemate.

Stalybridge v Hyde United

Hyde will travel to Stalybridge on New Year's Day knowing that only a victory will be good enough if they are to realise their title ambitions.

Hyde currently sit just three-points behind leaders Kettering with the same goal difference. Although it is unlikely that Kettering will lose on Tuesday, a win for the visitors will provide a much needed boost going into the second half of the season.

Stalybridge themselves are within touching distance of the play-off places, and are only 14 points off top spot.

Blue SQ have odds of 13/8 for Hyde to win the clash.

Workington v Leigh RMI

Bottom-of-the-table Leigh RMI take on mid-table Workington with the home side keen to move off the foot of the table.

The home side have been poor in defence this season, and while they have scored a few in the process, their defence has let them down time after time.

Workington. however, have one of the better defensive records this season and will look to make that statistic count when they take to the field on Tuesday.

The visitors still have aspirations of reaching the play-offs and a victory at Leigh RMI will do them no harm.

Blue SQ have odds of 8/13 for Workington to claim the three-points.