Oxford United face Northwich Victoria at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday

Vics aim to shock Oxford

Saturday March 29, 2008

Altrincham v Torquay United

Prices correct at time of writing (4.30pm, Wednesday March 26, 2008).

Home 3/1 Draw 9/4 Away 4/5

Torquay were my best bet of last week at 8/11 to win at Stafford Rangers and it's a similar situation this week when they travel to fellow relegation contenders Altrincham and you can back the Gulls at 4/5. I think that's a price to get stuck into.

It's nearly a month since Altrincham traveled to Torquay and put paid to United's title hopes with a 1-1 draw. Torquay boss Paul Buckle said the Gulls had around 20 shots on target to Altrincham's one so I think at 4/5 they're a very decent bet.

Verdict: Away win

Cambridge United v Kidderminster Harriers

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

Cambridge are struggling for goalkeepers and I think they've managed to pick up a trainee from Reading because they don't have a senior goalkeeper available after their first choice Danny Potter was sent off against Ebbsfleet on Monday. I don't think too many people will be interested in backing Cambridge at odds-on after their recent poor form.

Kidderminster have been very inconsistent this season and are currently mid-table. Harriers announced this week that they will be slashing their playing budget and a lot of players could be playing for their contract and that could really spark a performance out of them. I think the best bet is Kidderminster, receiving a goal on the handicap at 11/10.

Verdict: Away win

Exeter City v Halifax Town

Home 1/2 Draw 13/5 Away 5/1

Exeter have really slipped away after hauling themselves into the play-off positions and they've now got a five-point gap between themselves and fifth-placed Stevenage. The Grecians did all the hard work after Christmas and that's really unraveled in their last two games. I don't think too many punters will be backing Exeter at odds-on, but then could you really back Halifax at 5/1? Maybe the draw is the best call here.

Verdict: Draw

Farsley Celtic v Weymouth

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

This is definitely the clash of the weekend considering the respective positions of the two clubs. If fourth-from-bottom Farsley win they'll pull themselves level on points with Weymouth, who are in 18th place. Farsley are the favourites by virtue of the fact they're at home but Weymouth have been in good recent form and I think they could be the bet.

Verdict: Away win

Grays Athletic v Crawley Town

Home 11/10 Draw 11/5 Away 21/10

Grays have a fantastic home record and have put much better sides than Crawley to the sword at home and 11/10 looks a very good bet. Athletic have a great defensive record and I can't see Crawley breaching their defence. Grays to win to nil at 11/4 could also take the fancy of some people.

Verdict: Home win

Oxford United v Northwich Victoria

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

Oxford seem to flatter to deceive at the moment. They pick up the odd good result and that sometimes turns peoples' heads and maybe punters will think they're a decent bet to beat Northwich, who are struggling. I wasn't particularly impressed with Northwich's performance at York in midweek. They in good recent form and unbeaten in six but I think they should have gone for that game a lot more. With more to play for, I reckon the Vics will take the points.

Verdict: Away win

Rushden & Diamonds v Droylsden

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

Droylsden need to win every single game left and even then that would only give them a slim hope of escaping relegation. Rushden & Diamonds have very little to play for apart from pride. Droylsden have everything to play for and could take the points at 11/2.

Verdict: Away win

Stafford Rangers v Aldershot Town

Home 5/1 Draw 12/5 Away 8/15

By Saturday Aldershot will have already played Droylsden in midweek and possibly beaten them for three points and another win here at 8/15 could see us paying out on them for the title. Torquay were 8/11 to win at Stafford last week and it shows the gulf in class between the two sides that we rate Aldershot as 8/15 chances to pull off a victory here. Stafford look to be down along with Droylsden.

Verdict: Away win

Woking v Histon

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

We make this a very even match, with both sides 6/4. Woking have very little to play for and I think they've definitely escaped relegation, especially after what's happened with Halifax, which puts another side into the mix for the drop. Histon will harbour outside hopes of the play-offs but I think results have gone against them recently. I think it's a draw here.

Verdict: Draw

York City v Ebbsfleet United

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

I wasn't impressed with Northwich at York in midweek and certainly wasn't impressed with the Minstermen's performance. Boss Colin Walker read the riot act to his players after the 1-1 draw as York did harbour outside hopes of the play-offs. They take on Ebbsfleet, who will have one eye on the FA Trophy, but they're playing quite freely at the moment and the players will be playing for their places in the final. The draw maybe the call at 9/4.

Verdict: Draw

Best Bets

Torquay 4/5

Exeter City v Halifax Town Draw 13/5

Northwich 7/2