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Abbey Stadium: Cambridge United face Histon

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U's tipped for Histon victory

Friday December 26, 2008

Northwich Victoria v Altrincham (Kick-off 12pm)

Home 13/8 Draw 9/4 Away 6/4

This is a match which is ripe for a draw at 9/4. I don't think Northwich will win this clash so I'll probably back the draw and save on Altrincham. These two sides meet again on New Year's Day in a match that will be live on Setanta so I'm going to take a draw here. I think it will be a typical local derby and 1-1 will probably be my correct scoreline.

Verdict: Draw

Barrow v Wrexham

Prices correct at time of writing (12.30pm, Tuesday December 23, 2008).

Home 2/1 Draw 23/10 Away 6/5

I thought Wrexham should be odds-on to win this match because Barrow have one thing on their mind and that's their lucrative FA Cup third-round tie away to Middlesbrough so 6/5 on the Red Dragons has tempted me. Wrexham don't have any FA Cup distractions and are eyeing a promotion push. I think they will be the side to follow in the second half of the season.

Verdict: Away win

Burton Albion v York City

Home 8/13 Draw 5/2 Away 9/2

Burton have had a bit of fixture congestion and their FA Trophy replay against Farsley to deal with as well. I expect Albion to win at home, however, I think 8/13 is quite short. York have been the draw specialists this season and I don't think the draw is the worst bet here. Burton are going really well at the top of the table. They've played more games than the others at the top but have points in the bag. Despite the fact that I expect the Brewers to win, I think the value is the draw at 5/2.

Verdict: Home win

Cambridge United v Histon

Home 6/5 Draw 23/10 Away 2/1

Histon will also have their FA Cup third-round clash at home to Swansea City on their minds. Over the last two or three weeks I've noticed the signs that they could be a team to oppose and Cambridge at home at 6/5 will definitely be one of my bets this Boxing Day.

Verdict: Home win

Eastbourne Borough v Lewes

Home 4/5 Draw 12/5 Away 16/5

This looks like a chance for Eastbourne to get back to winning ways after their 5-0 defeat at Wrexham last time out. 4/5 is quite short on Boro but I'm going to go for the home win against Lewes, who I think will have just one season in the Blue Square Premier.

Verdict: Home win

Ebbsfleet United v Grays Athletic

Home 8/11 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Grays are a strange side and it's hard to know what to expect from them but I don't think they will get anything here. Ebbsfleet will be hoping to improve their form and at 8/11 I expect them to be too strong for Athletic. It might be a tight affair and one goal will probably be enough but I'm going for an Ebbsfleet win.

Verdict: Home win

Kettering Town v Mansfield Town

Home 4/5 Draw 12/5 Away 16/5

Kettering have an FA Cup third-round tie against Eastwood Town to look forward to. Normally I would expect 4/5 to be a home banker but the closer they get to that cup tie the more the players will have their minds on that clash rather than the league so I think the draw at 12/5 is good value. It's a hard match to call so I'm going for a stalemate.

Verdict: Draw

Kidderminster Harriers v Forest Green Rovers

Home 8/13 Draw 5/2 Away 9/2

I thought Kidderminster should be more like a 1/2 chance for this one so 8/13 has to go down as one the bets of Boxing Day. Forest Green's problem has been away from home, while Harriers are virtually unbeatable at Aggborough with a record of 10 wins, one draw and one defeat so I'm going for a Kidderminster victory.

Verdict: Home win

Salisbury City v Oxford United

Home 2/1 Draw 9/4 Away 5/4

I like Oxford here. The U's have appointed former Halifax Town boss Chris Wilder as their new manager and if Oxford are going to have a revival in the second half of the season and reach the play-offs, they have to be winning at places such as Salisbury. Oxford have been hard to follow this season but I'm going for an away win.

Verdict: Away win

Stevenage Borough v Rushden & Diamonds

Home 6/5 Draw 23/10 Away 2/1

This one looks a hard game to call. Stevenage are the favourites and I'm going to take a chance with the home team here. They've been too inconsistent but I think home advantage will be significant. Rushden were far from impressive in their 2-1 win over Northwich last time out. I've seen the Diamonds on several occasions this season and I've seen them play brilliant football and play rubbish. I reckon Boro will get the better of them here and I'll take them to win.

Verdict: Home win

Weymouth v Torquay United

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

Torquay should be backed here as they are odds-against at 11/10. I thought the Gulls would be odds-on, which I was going to swerve and go for a draw. However, the 11/10 has tempted me in and I like the chances of United to win at Weymouth.

Verdict: Away win

Woking v Crawley Town

Home 7/4 Draw 11/5 Away 7/5

This is a local derby with any three of the results possible. Woking on the face of it look quite a big price at 7/4 to win at home, but I think they are going to have to settle for a draw and 11/5 is decent value. Crawley have been inconsistent but have had a much better season than I think their performances warrant. It's been the other way around for Woking, who haven't picked up the points they could have done. I'm going for a share of the spoils.

Verdict: Draw

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Cambridge 6/5

Kidderminster 8/13

Wrexham 6/5

Cambridge and Kidderminster double

Cambridge, Kidderminster and Wrexham treble

Banker Bet

Kidderminster 8/13