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Torquay United face Histon at Plainmoor on Monday

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Gulls to clip Histon's wings

Monday January 28, 2008

Torquay United v Histon (19.45, Live on Setanta 1)

Prices correct at time of writing (2.30pm, Wednesday January 23, 2008).

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

Torquay slipped out of the top two for the first time since September after their 0-0 draw at Salisbury last weekend. Their last home match in front of the TV cameras was a 2-1 defeat to Burton. Histon are in desperate need of the points with Steve Fallon's men just outside the play-off places but should be fresh after their match against Halifax was called off last weekend.

If you look at Torquay they've played 12 games at home and I was there for their first match, a 0-0 draw against Grays, their only draw at home, and their other defeat at Plainmoor was to Devon rivals Exeter.

I expect Torquay to beat Histon and believe they will win quite comfortably. I'm convinced the Gulls will be in the shake-up for promotion come the end of the season, whether or not they'll bounce straight back as champions, I'm not sure. I'm going to take them to win this match and at 8/13 at home I think they're a fair price. If you take the Grays match out of the equation, Torquay have won nine of their last 11 matches at home. On that basis it's got to be Torquay for me. I think the Gulls are play-off certainties but if they are going to win the Blue Square Premier, then they've got to win games like this to maintain the pressure on the likes of Stevenage and Aldershot.

Verdict: Home win

Best Bet: HT/FT Draw / Torquay 7/2