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Saunders: Eyeing three points

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Red Dragons set to roar

Saturday March 7, 2009

Cambridge United v Burton Albion

Prices correct at time of writing (2pm, Wednesday March 4, 2009).

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

This is a real mouth-watering clash as third-placed Cambridge United take on top-of-the-table Burton. The Brewers were maybe disappointed to draw 0-0 at Woking last weekend, while Cambridge drew their derby clash at Histon 1-1 on Monday. I've got to fancy that Cambridge might get something out of this game. This is one of the fixtures for Burton between now and the end of the season which is potentially difficult and I think that in the circumstances Burton were probably delighted with a draw at Woking as they push for a place in the Football League, which I am certain they will secure. The U's have a big chance and could win but I think the value is the draw.

Verdict: Draw

Eastbourne Borough v Wrexham

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

Eastbourne lost 3-0 at home to Oxford United on Tuesday night. They are in mid-table at the moment and are one of the few sides with nothing to play for although they will probably need one or two more wins to be sure of safety. Wrexham missed a trick on Tuesday night in their pursuit of the play-offs when they lost 1-0 at Crawley Town. That was a big disappointment for the Red Dragons but I think they will bounce back and I'm going to take Wrexham to beat Eastbourne in this clash. Boro have to be careful they don't get dragged into the relegation battle. I think Wrexham are very much in the hunt for a play-off place but will have to put a consistent run together. If Oxford and Wrexham secure a play-off spot then they would be among the favourites to win the second promotion place and a return to the Football League. It's Wrexham for me.

Verdict: Away win

Forest Green Rovers v Oxford United

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

Forest Green are just two points above the relegation zone and picked up a useful point in a 1-1 draw at Stevenage on Tuesday night, while Oxford are still pushing for the play-offs. This is a chance for United to get an important away win. Their home form has been excellent but can they do it on the road? This is an opportunity, they are going to be in my treble this week and this is going to be a crucial away win for Oxford at Forest Green for me.

Verdict: Away win

Grays Athletic v Altrincham

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

Grays are still deep in relegation trouble and drew at Forest Green last weekend and lost at home to promotion chasing Torquay on Tuesday night. Altrincham have had back-to-back defeats against Kettering and Stevenage, losing 2-1 at home to Borough in the 90th minute last Saturday and 3-1 at Kettering on Tuesday night after getting back to 1-1. They now need a victory and I think they've got at least a chance of getting a draw against Grays so I'm going for this to finish all square.

Verdict: Draw

Kettering Town v Histon

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

Kettering beat Altrincham on Tuesday night while Histon dropped points in their derby at home to Cambridge on Monday. I think it's been the play-offs at best for a while for Histon but I'm going to take Kettering to win this game, which is a big match for both clubs. The Poppies have had such an interesting season and had a great start to the campaign. They were perhaps getting better results than the points suggested, have had a good run in the FA Cup and now have games in hand. I think Kettering will win this one.

Verdict: Home win

Mansfield Town v Lewes

Home 1/4 Draw 4/1 Away 10/1

Mansfield were in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle after their four-point deduction earlier this season but have just pulled themselves clear in recent weeks and had an excellent 1-0 win at Rushden last weekend. This looks a home banker. Town did suffer a stutter but are playing a team who are doomed in Lewes so Mansfield to win.

Verdict: Home win

Northwich Victoria v Stevenage Borough

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

Northwich picked up a point at Barrow last weekend but that's not really good for them in their battle to beat relegation and they are still 12 points from safety. Stevenage are firing on all cylinders and had 10 wins in a row before their surprise 1-1 draw with Forest Green on Tuesday night. You'd have to fancy Stevenage here and they showed great heart last weekend to win 2-1 at Altrincham after going 1-0 down. It was a strange result for Boro in midweek. I think Northwich are going down along with Lewes and it will be very open for the two other relegation spots. Stevenage to beat Northwich is one of the bankers of the weekend.

Verdict: Away win

Salisbury City v Kidderminster Harriers

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

Salisbury have been on the slide in the second half of the season but earned a decent point at Wrexham last weekend. Kidderminster have only won four on their travels compared to 12 home wins and that has been the difference in their season. Harriers' away form is poor but I think they've got a good chance this weekend and I'm going for them to get three points. Salisbury's position in the table earlier in the season flattered them and this is a good chance for Kidderminster to get three points.

Verdict: Away win

Torquay United v Rushden & Diamonds

Home 4/6 Draw 5/2 Away 4/1

Torguay have picked up two massive wins in the last few days, winning 2-0 at Oxford and 2-1 at Grays, which has boosted their play-off push and they are six points clear of Wrexham, who are just outside the play-off places but have games in hand. Rushden are one of the few sides in mid-table and regrouping under caretaker boss Justin Edinburgh. I fancy Torquay to win this one although you have to say Rushden are the most inconsistent side in the league. The Gulls have really picked up in the last few weeks, I think they will be amongst the play-off contenders come the end of the season. Plaimoor is a hard place to get a result and its three points for Torquay on Saturday.

Verdict:

Woking v Barrow

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

Woking will take heart from their 0-0 draw against Burton last weekend but arguably face the match of the weekend down at the bottom of the table with a home clash against Barrow. Fourth-from-bottom Barrow are level on points with fifth-from-bottom Woking with just two goals difference between the two teams. I think the travelling is beginning to get to Barrow as we thought it might and I think Woking have a big chance of three points here, which would be a colossal win. If the game was at Barrow I'd have gone for the Bluebirds. I'm going to take home advantage to play a crucial role in this game. I'll be at this match and I'm going for Woking to beat Barrow.

Verdict: Home win

Sunday March 8, 2009

Ebbsfleet United v York City

Home evens Draw 23/10 Away 5/2

Both Ebbsfleet and York are still dreaming of Wembley in the FA Trophy but they meet on Sunday and both teams are still not safe in the league. The Minstermen have just drawn too many games. In the matches I've seen them play they've not done too badly but lack an end product and it's another draw here I think, which I reckon both sides will take as it's another point on the board. They should both be ok but it could be an anxious next couple of months. Both teams may well get to Wembley but they will want to make sure they are still in the Blue Square Premier next season.

Verdict:

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Treble

Oxford 6/5

Kettering 11/8

Wrexham 13/10

Banker Bet

Stevenage 1/2