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Stevenage Borough face Forest Green Rovers

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Boro set to continue promotion bid

Saturday February 7, 2009

Altrincham v Eastbourne Borough

Prices correct at time of writing (1.30pm, Wednesday February 4, 2009).

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

Altrincham are safely in mid-table at the moment with 40 points and beat Northwich 1-0 at home on Tuesday night. Eastbourne suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Mansfield last weekend. The Robins have only had seven draws and have won 11 matches this season and really with 40 points they should be ok. I expect the Robins to get a result and it's an Alty win for me.

Verdict: Home win

Barrow v Torquay United

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

Barrow were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Salisbury last weekend and take on a Torquay side who are in the final play-off place in the table but lost 3-0 to Southport in the FA Trophy last weekend. I think the Gulls will bounce back and get three points. United still look good to get a play-off spot this season.

Verdict: Away win

Grays Athletic v Crawley Town

Home 17/10 Draw 9/4 Away 7/5

The big news of the week involves Grays Athletic and the departure of manager Wayne Burnett. Grays have said that chairman Mike Woodward won't be leaving the club and there are all sorts of financial problems it seems down there. Athletic are also in the bottom four at the moment. What is happening is very disappointing and the supporters are the losers. The club has done itself proud over the last few seasons.

These things happen and I would think the fans will try and get behind their team. Times are bleak but Grays have games in hand and a better goal difference than the teams around them, which could be a key factor.

Gary Phillips will take control of team matters at Grays until the end of the season and they take on Crawley, whose away form is letting them down in their push for promotion.

But this is a good chance for the Red Devils to win at Grays and get themselves right back into the promotion picture. Crawley have had 13 wins, eight draws and eight defeats in their 29 games so far this season. I think this will be another victory for the Red Devils.

Verdict: Away win

Ebbsfleet United v Northwich Victoria

Home 8/15 Draw 13/5 Away 5/1

Bottom-of-the-table Northwich look even more doomed than Lewes and are 14 points from safety. This match has been moved and will now take place at Ebbsfleet, as Northwich still have problems playing their home fixtures. That should make the difference between the two teams. I don't fancy the Vics so it's three points for Ebbsfleet.

Verdict: Home win

Histon v Weymouth

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

Histon drew 2-2 at Forest Green on Tuesday night but are really playing catch up and will have four games in hand on Burton by the time they play at the weekend. The Stutes have also suffered in the league since they beat Leeds in the FA Cup. I think that they are going to win this one and continue their charge to catch Burton, although they will have to win a lot of games to do that. They'd settle for a play-off place now and I think they've got a good chance of three points this weekend so I'm going for a home win.

Verdict: Home win

Kettering Town v Oxford United

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

Kettering suffered a shock in the FA Trophy on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Telford United. Oxford have had a decent week with a point at Cambridge United last Thursday and they beat Lewes 2-1 at home on Sunday. If the U's hadn't had that points deduction they would be just three points off second place and I think their run can continue. Kettering have a long season ahead now they are out of the FA Cup and will have seven games in hand on Burton come the start of the game. The U's are on fire, they should be much higher in the table and I'm going for an away win.

Verdict: Away win

Lewes v Wrexham

Home 13/2 Draw 16/5 Away 2/5

Lewes look doomed and are 13 points from safety. Wrexham are improving under boss Dean Saunders and came through a tricky tie at Workington in the FA Trophy. I think the Red Dragons will win this one. It's a long way and weather permitting, I expect Wrexham to win.

Verdict: Away win

Mansfield Town v York City

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

Mansfield won 2-1 at Eastbourne last weekend and are at home to York, who recorded yet another draw away at Kidderminster in the FA Trophy. The Minstermen have drawn 12 in the league and I think it'll be 13 here. York have won only seven of their 30 league games this season, which is unbelievable. Town have drawn five matches, with 12 wins and 12 defeats. A draw is the value here.

Verdict: Draw

Salisbury City v Woking

Home 13/10 Draw 12/5 Away 7/4

Salisbury are just above the drop zone at the moment and have one point more than fourth-from-bottom Grays. They got a 0-0 draw at Barrow last time out and will be looking to build on that when they take on Woking at home. I think its three points for the home side. If ever there is a home banker it's this match and I really fancy Salisbury here.

Verdict: Home win

Stevenage Borough v Forest Green Rovers

Home 4/9 Draw 14/5 Away 13/2

Stevenage are on the charge and up to fourth spot. Boro beat Burton 4-0 last weekend albeit in the FA Trophy and take on a struggling Forest Green side. I think this will be a home win. Stevenage are on fire at the moment after a poor start to the campaign. They were the favourites along with Oxford to win promotion at the start of the season. I think this will be a comfortable win for Boro.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Oxford 7/4, Stevenage 4/9, Ebbsfleet 8/15 Treble

Mansfield v York Draw 12/5

Crawley 7/5

Banker Bet

Salisbury City 13/10