Stafford Rangers face Torquay at Marston Road on Saturday

Gulls set to soar

Saturday March 22, 2008

Aldershot Town v Altrincham

Prices correct at time of writing (2.30pm, Wednesday March 19, 2008).

Home 2/7 Draw 7/2 Away 15/2

Leaders Aldershot are in a great position - 10 points clear with two games in hand. With all great respect to Altrincham, there's not a better fixture than at home to the Robins for Aldershot to get back to winning ways in the league. I can only see it going one way and that's with Gary Waddock's men.

Verdict: Home win

Burton Albion v Crawley Town

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

It's very important for Burton to keep winning at this stage of the season. They beat Weymouth 2-1 on Sunday and that was a good performance. The pressure is on Burton to win, with play-off rivals Exeter at home to Kidderminster also on Saturday. It's going to be very tight for the play-off places and Histon could even put pressure on Burton if they beat Salisbury on Friday.

Verdict: Home win

Cambridge United v Weymouth

Home 4/11 Draw 3/1 Away 13/2

Cambridge weren't entirely convincing in their 1-0 win over Woking last Saturday and on-loan striker Lee McEvilly suffered a serious ankle injury. Jimmy Quinn was forming his team around McEvilly, who is unlikely to play for Cambridge again considering he was on loan at the club. The U's are the favourites in this one, but Weymouth are very solid at the moment and are defending well. They're the outsiders but I think Weymouth are worth a speculative bet, especially after Cambridge's 2-1 defeat at Crawley on Tuesday.

Verdict: Away win

Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Exeter have only lost once at home all season and would be much higher in the table had it not been for too many draws. As a result the draw here could be quite a decent bet. Kidderminster are playing without any pressure as they look to next season. Exeter are 4/6 but I don't think many punters will be trusting them at odds-on considering the amount of slip-ups they've had recently.

Verdict: Draw

Halifax Town v Oxford United

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

Halifax are going to go into administration and will lose 10 points, which will have an effect on the league table. The Shaymen will obviously join Weymouth, Farsley and Altrincham in the battle to avoid being the last team relegated, with Droylsden, Stafford and Northwich looking doomed. Even Northwich, who are unbeaten in quite a few games, could put pressure on those above them and it could really be one of five now for that last relegation spot. Halifax are the favourites, but Oxford have had such a disappointing season. I'm going for the draw.

Verdict: Draw

Northwich Victoria v Farsley Celtic

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

This is like a Cup final for Northwich. If they win this match they can really put pressure on those above them and maybe could pull off a fantastic escape, bearing in mind there were no prices on the Vics for relegation earlier this season. Since then their prices have shortened all the time and they're now 1/7 to go down but if they win this match they'll only be four points away from Farsley and with a game in hand, which could really change things. It's going to be an amazing game. I'm going for a home win.

Verdict: Home win

Rushden & Diamonds v York City

Home 6/5 Draw 11/5 Away 15/8

If you look at York's record since Colin Walker took over its real promotion form. If they had produced that form earlier in the season they'd be in the top three and looking at a position in the play-offs. I think they've left it too late for a play-off spot. York have got more to play for and that 15/8 could be a decent bet.

Verdict: Away win

Stafford Rangers v Torquay United

Home 16/5 Draw 12/5 Away 8/11

Torquay are down to fourth, which is totally unthinkable. They were heavily odds-on to finish in the top two and they've really slipped up recently and an indication of this is the fact that they're 8/11 for a trip to struggling Stafford. Some people will see that as an absolute gift of a price. 8/11 is the standout bet this weekend and I'm going for an away win.

Verdict: Away win

Best Bets

Torquay 8/11

Weymouth 13/2