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Nigel Clough's Burton Albion travel to York City

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Brewers tipped to get a point

Thursday January 1, 2009

Crawley Town v Woking

Prices correct at time of writing (5pm, Tuesday December 30, 2008).

Home 4/7 Draw 5/2 Away 5/1

Crawley are currently fourth in the table and these two sides drew 0-0 on Boxing Day. Normally I would say this is a home banker but there are various reports that Crawley are under investigation for allegedly fielding an ineligible player. That could mean a points deduction and that is quite clearly something they don't want so that could open up things at the top. Woking are a big price, it was 0-0 on Boxing Day and there is nothing to suggest there'll be a lot of goals in this one and at 5/2 the draw here looks the pick.

Verdict: Draw

Grays Athletic v Ebbsfleet

Home 11/8 Draw 9/4 Away 7/4

There are signs of recovery from Grays and they beat Ebbsfleet 1-0 on Boxing Day. 11/8 is a fair price but I just think Ebbsfleet can reverse the form from Boxing Day and I'm looking to them at 7/4 to improve. They have been disappointing of late, where as Grays have done quite well. Athletic haven't played many home games recently with four of their last six matches on the road. But I think Ebbsfleet can return to form and win this one at 7/4.

Verdict: Away win

Lewes v Eastbourne Borough

Home 7/4 Draw 9/4 Away 11/8

Lewes are nine points from safety as they entertain Eastbourne Borough this weekend. This looks like a chance for the away team again to get three points. Boro go into this match knowing they are playing one of the poorest teams in the division for a long time. Boro have lost their last three away games but if they are to get a result this is where it is going to be. I'm going to take a narrow Eastbourne win at 11/8.

Verdict: Away win

Oxford United v Salisbury City

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

Oxford's last couple of games sum up their season. On Boxing Day they were beaten 2-1 at Salisbury and then they go and thrash Ebbsfleet 5-1 at the weekend and they entertain Salisbury this Saturday. Surely this is a chance for the U's to get revenge for that Boxing Day defeat. They haven't actually been doing too badly and I think this is the best bet of the weekend.

Salisbury's win over Oxford was a big surprise and I think the U's will take the three points in this match.

Verdict: Home win

Rushden & Diamonds v Stevenage Borough

Home 13/10 Draw 9/4 Away 15/8

Stevenage beat Rushden 3-1 on Boxing Day and they meet at Nene Park. I think this will be a draw at 9/4. It's been a bitterly disappointing season for both sides and both were expected to be big challengers for promotion, not eighth and ninth respectively in the table. I think this will be a point a piece.

Verdict: Draw

York City v Burton Albion

Home 21/10 Draw 9/4 Away 6/5

Burton begin 2009 10 points clear at the top of the table after their 2-0 win at Mansfield. Albion are 6/4 to win the title and 4/6 to get promoted, which will be joyous news to all Burton fans. We all know about Albion's home form but they've had three away wins on the bounce. The Brewers start the New Year with a trip to York and if they can get three points they really will be in great shape.

York have drawn six and only won four times at home this season. They lost 2-1 at home to Altrincham on Sunday, which was a real surprise, even though I'm a fan of the Robins.

Burton have only drawn once away from home this season but I think they'll get a point here at 9/4.

Verdict: Draw

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Treble

Oxford 8/13

York v Burton Draw 9/4

Altrincham 4/6

Banker Bet

Oxford 8/13