Saturday's Blue Square North preview

League leaders Kettering Town travel to Harrogate Town looking to extend their lead at the top in what is sure to be another exciting Saturday afternoon of Blue Square North football.

AFC Telford v Hyde United

AFC Telford will view the clash with Hyde United on Saturday afternoon as the ideal opportunity for them to close the gap on league leaders Kettering.

Telford sit eight points off Kettering and have one of the best goalscoring records in the league with Lewis in fine form so far this season.

Hyde United still have a chance of finishing in the play-off places this season and the trip will provide them with the perfect test to see how far they have come this season.

Both teams have been in fine form in front of goal and that statistic should provide the game with a few goals.

Blue SQ have odds of 3/1 for Hyde to claim the three-points.

Boston United v Solihull Moors

Boston United boss Tommy Taylor looks set to hand Micky Nuttell his fourth debut in a Pilgrims shirt against Solihull Moors on Saturday afternoon

The 39-year-old re-signed for United earlier this week from local rivals Boston Town.

The big question for Taylor will be over his formation, with Jon Rowan and Matt O'Halloran doubtful with respective ankle and hip injuries, a return to 4-3-3 could be on the cards with Kieran Leabon and Jon Stevenson playing either side of Nuttell in attack. Failing that Leabon could also be pushed out wide. Lee Thompson is another option for a wide berth but Thompson is likely to be used as a sub for Nuttell early in the second-half.

Jon Froggatt's back and ankle problems continue to worry Pilgrims staff and the signing of Nuttell suggests that Taylor has little confidence his powerhouse forward will be returning anytime soon.

Michael Wood, Ben Joyce and Aaron Butcher will again be representing the youth team from the bench.

Solihull Moors will view the match as a must-win fixture if they are going to keep their Blue Square North status for another season.

The visiting outfit have been poor away from home this season, but have been known to spring a surprise on occasion.

Blue SQ have odds of 5/2 for the match to end in a draw.

Harrogate Town v Kettering

Blue Square North leaders Kettering Town travel north to face Harrogate Town in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday afternoon.

The clubs have already met twice this season. Town will be looking to turn the tables on November's home FA Trophy loss and the league defeat at Rockingham Road.

Kettering will arrive at Wetherby Road having just notched up two consecutive 5-2 home wins against Hinckley United and Southport. The Poppies are an inconsistent side on the road, however, having suffered defeat at Gainsborough Trinity in their last away fixture.

The Poppies had the upper hand when they visited Wetherby Road in the league last season, winning 3-2 at the start of the campaign. The goal scorers for Town on that occasion were Darren Dunning and Kirk Jackson.

Blue SQ have odds of 7/4 for the match to produce 4 or more goals.

Hinckley v Barrow

Hinckley will view the clash with Barrow on Saturday afternoon as the ideal opportunity for them to climb their way out of the relegation zone.

The home side have not had the best of seasons and a victory will go a long way in boosting their confidence for the relegation fight they face in the remaining games of the campaign.

Barrow, however, sit comfortably in mid-table with a push for the play-off places a little too much to ask of them.

Both sides have been poor defensively this season so the match should produce a few goals.

Blue SQ have odds of 12/1 for Hinckley to win the match 2-0.

Leigh RMI v Gainsborough

Bottom-of-the-table Leigh RMI will view the clash with mid-table Gainsborough as a must-win fixture if they are to pull themselves out of the relegation hole they currently occupy.

The home side have had a torrid season to date and will need a miracle if they are to climb out of the mire they are in.

The visitors have had an under-par season by their standards, with little to shout about for their fans.

With the play-off places out of reach for Gainsborough it is all about gaining a respectable position in the remaining games of the season.

Both side's have shipped in a few goals this season so it will be down to which defence produces the better display.

Blue SQ have odds of 40/1 for the match to end in a 3-3 draw.

Redditch United v Workington

Redditch United play host to Workington on Saturday afternoon with both sides keen on moving up the table.

Both teams currently occupy mid-table positions and will be looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

Workington have a good record in front of goal this season and they will be looking to exploit Redditch's weak defence.

The match should produce a few goals and will come down to which side wants the points more.

Blue SQ have odds of 10/1 for Workington to win the match 2-1.

Southport v Nuneaton

Southport play host to Nuneaton on Saturday afternoon looking to take step towards securing a play-off position.

The Sandgrounders have been in fine form this season and will want to return to the Blue Square Premier at the first attempt.

The visitors themselves has aspirations of clinching a play-off position and a win will also go along way to achieving that.

Both side's have impressive records in front of goal this season and that should count in the fans' favour come Saturday as the game should produce a few goals.

Blue SQ have odds of 2/1 for Nuneaton to win the match.

Stalybridge v Alfreton Town

Alfreton Town will be looking for their first Blue Square North win in five outings when they travel to face sixth-placed Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday afternoon.

Reds manager Nicky Law has no injury worries and will be looking for his side to stabilise themselves and kick on after a run of only ten points out of the last ten league games.

Celtic will be anxious to break into the play-off places but the Reds will travel with hopes of a fifth away win of the season as the Tameside club have dropped 20 out of 42 points at home so far this season.

Stalybridge won the first encounter of the campaign 4-3 at the Impact Arena on January 5, Chris Hall netting four times.

Blue SQ have odds of 11/1 for the match to end goalless.

Tamworth v Hucknall

Tamworth entertain Hucknall in a bottom-of-the-table clash on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides have struggled to assert themselves on the league this season and if either side isn't careful, relegation could become a reality.

Both sides have been poor defensively this season but that could count in favour of the fans as it could mean a few goals will be scored at the Lamb Ground on Saturday.

A draw could be the likely result as both sides will be up for the challenge, therefore canceling each other out.

Blue SQ have odds of 5/2 for the match to end in a draw.

Vauxhall Motors v Blyth Spartans

Vauxhall Motors entertain Blyth Spartans on Saturday afternoon in a make or break clash for the home side.

The hosts currently occupy 21st spot on the league table and nothing less than a victory will be good enough.

Vauxhall have one of the worst defences in the league a statistic which the away side will look to exploit.

Blyth have an injury concern over striker Phill Bell who has missed the last two games.

New Zealand international Adrian Webster returns to the squad after completing trials in Finland.

Andrew Leeson, out with an injury since early December, is also retained in the squad after completing 90 minutes against Boston in midweek.

New signings Tony Stephenson (Ex Workington) and Jeff Forsyth (Halesowen) are also available for selection.

Blue SQ have odds of 8/5 for Blyth Spartans to come away with the three-points.