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Salisbury To Pack A Punch

Altrincham v Northwich Victoria

Prices correct at time of writing (10am, Sunday December 23, 2007).

Home Evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4

Altrincham's last league match was on Saturday December 1 when they lost 2-1 at home to Histon. The Robins' away clash at Torquay on Sunday December 9 was postponed and they lost 3-1 at home to York City in the FA Trophy First Round Proper on Saturday December 15. Graham Heathcote's side need to get back to winning ways if they are to climb away from the drop zone and this match is a real six-pointer. Northwich are bottom of the table with just 10 points, five behind Altrincham, but they beat Oxford 1-0 in their last league match and drew 0-0 at Stafford Rangers before that. Northwich lost 2-1 to Blue Square North outfit Vauxhall Motors in the FA Trophy but in the league. Altrincham have won two, drawn one and lost eight at home this season, while Northwich have drawn one and lost 10 on the road so far, with no wins. I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Cambridge United v Histon

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

Cambridge are flying high in fourth place in the Blue Square Premier but lost their last league match 1-0 at Kidderminster Harriers. But The U's should be in confident mood after beating Kings Lynn 5-0 in the FA Trophy. Histon are also having a great season and are in seventh spot in the table. The Stutes lost their last league match 1-0 at home to Woking but then had a 5-2 win over Retford United in the FA Trophy so the match promises to be a close affair. Cambridge have won six and drawn four at home, with no defeats, while Histon have won seven, drawn two and lost three on the road. I think Cambridge Draw No Bet is the best option here.

Verdict: Cambridge Draw No Bet

Farsley Celtic v Halifax Town

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

Farsley Celtic are struggling and currently occupy 20th place in the table and are just two points above fourth-from-bottom Altrincham. Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Torquay in their last league match and need three points to boost their bid to avoid the drop. Farsley drew 1-1 away to Gateshead in the FA Trophy. Halifax are in 18th place but have a nine-point gap between themselves and Farsley. The Shaymen lost 3-0 at home to Exeter last time out so both sides will be looking to bounce back. Town's match against Leamington in the FA Trophy was postponed. Farsley have won two, drawn four and lost four at home, while halifax have won two, drawn two and lost six. I think this match will end all square.

Verdict: Draw

Forest Green Rovers v Kidderminster Harriers

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

Forest Green are having a storming season and currently lie in sixth place. Jim Harvey's side will be aiming for a play-off spot this season and with Stuart Fleetwood in top form they have a great chance of gaining three points at home to Kiddersminster. Rovers earned a decent 1-1 drew at Burton Albion in their last league match, with Fleetwood on target again. Forest Green also beat Blue Square South strugglers Sutton United 4-1 in the FA Trophy, while Kidderminster beat Guiseley 2-1 in their FA Trophy clash on Tuesday December 18. Harriers are currently 10th in the table and beat Cambridge 1-0 in their last league match, a great result for Mark Yates' side. With Fleetwood in form, I'm going for a home win.

Verdict: Home win

Grays Athletic v Ebbsfleet United

Home Evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4

Grays are in 11th place in the table and haven't played a league match since their 3-2 defeat away to Blue Square Premier leaders Aldershot on Thursday November 22 as their match away to Crawley on Saturday December 8 was postponed. Grays did beat Lewes 3-0 in the FA Trophy and will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league. Ebbsfleet are two places above Grays and lost 2-1 at home to York last time out in the league. However, The Fleet beat Carshalton Athletic 4-1 in the FA Trophy. Both sides know three points will push them closer to the play-off places so the game should be an entertaining affair. I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Oxford United v Crawley Town

Home Evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4

Oxford have had a turbulent season and currently lie in 12th spot. The U's lost 1-0 at botton-of-the-table Northwich in their last Blue Square Premier match then lost 1-0 away to Tonbridge Angels in their FA Trophy First Round Proper replay on Tuesday December 18. United need three points against Crawley if they are to revive their play-off hopes. Crawley have a poor away record although they did draw 1-1 at York in their last league match. Oxford have won three, drawn six and lost one at home, while Crawley have won two, drawn three and lost five on the road and I think a draw is the most likely outcome.

Verdict: Draw

Rushden & Diamonds v Stevenage Borough

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

Rushden & Diamonds are in 17th spot and had a great 4-1 win over Droylsden in their last league match. They also beat Bamber Bridge 3-2 in the FA Trophy, while the holders Stevenage were beaten 2-1 by Blue Square South strugglers Dorchester Town. Stevenage are currently third in the table and beat Salisbury 3-1 at home in their last league game. Rushden have a poor home record, just two wins, while Stevenage have won six and lost three away from home so I'm going for Boro to edge this one and take three points.

Verdict: Away win

Salisbury City v Weymouth

Home 6/5 Draw 9/4 Away 15/8

Salisbury lost 3-1 at Stevenage in the league last time out and then lost 3-0 at Exeter City in the FA Trophy. Weymouth's last league match was a 2-1 defeat at home to York City on Saturday November 24. The Terras beat Wealdstone 1-0 in the FA Trophy but with Salisbury's good home form this season, it's a home win for me.

Verdict: Home win

Stafford Rangers v Burton Albion

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

Stafford lost 4-3 at Blue Square Premier leaders Aldershot in their last league match, and beat Ossett Town 3-1 in the FA Trophy. Rangers are third-from-bottom with just 10 points from 22 matches and still haven't won at home this season, with four draws and six defeats so far. By contrast, Burton are flying high in fifth place in the table and haven't lost on the road this season, with four wins and six draws. I think there's only one winner in this encounter and it's The Brewers for me.

Verdict: Away win

Woking v Aldershot 12.00

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

Woking against Aldershot is not a game in which I would be wanting to lump on the away side. Aldershot are going really well, they've won 17, drawn one and lost four of their 22 matches so far this season. I would imagine this local derby could easily end up in a draw. The Shots beat Stafford Rangers 4-3 in their last league match and then won 5-0 away to Hayes & Yeading United in the FA Trophy. Woking won 1-0 at Histon in their last league match and beat Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 in the FA Trophy. Woking have won just three matches at home this season, with six draws and two defeats. Aldershot have won seven on the road so I'm going for Aldeshot Draw No Bet.

Verdict: Aldershot Draw No Bet

York City v Droylsden

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

York beat Ebbsfleet 2-1 in their last league match and then beat Altrincham 3-1 in the FA Trophy. Droylsden lost 4-1 at home to Rushden and Diamonds in their last Blue Square Premier game but then beat Redditch United 2-1 in the FA Trophy. The Minstermen have won two, drawn two and lost seven at home so far this season, while Droylsden are winless on the road, with two draws and seven defeats so far. I think York Draw No Bet is the safe option here.

Verdict: York Draw No Bet

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Burton Albion 10/11

Stevenage 11/8

Salisbury 6/5

Banker Bet

Salisbury 6/5