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Stevenage Borough face Oxford United

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U's set to end Boro run

Saturday March 28, 2009

Altrincham v Crawley Town

Prices correct at time of writing (2pm, Wednesday March 25, 2009).

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

Altrincham were stung by a 5-2 home defeat to Forest Green last Saturday, while Crawley are still eyeing a play-off place after their 2-0 win at Wrexham. I suppose if you fancy Oxford for a play-off place than you have got to fancy Crawley too, although I just think the momentum is with Oxford. Altrincham's defeat was an interesting one because they were 2-0 up with a brace from Colin Little early on. They were reduced to 10 men but Forest Green took their chances and that what a fabulous, much-needed win that was for them. On the form book you've got to go with Crawley here. Altrincham are out of form at the moment but I think the Robins will more than hold their own. If you fancy Crawley then good luck to you, but I'm going to go for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Burton Albion v Grays Athletic

Home 2/5 Draw 3/1 Away 13/2

Leaders Burton Albion are still going nicely and are currently eight points clear, while Grays are just one point off the bottom four. Grays stunned the bookies and the punters with their 1-1 draw at Torquay in midweek, which was a fabulous result. The nerves are with Burton at the moment and they earned an extraordinary 2-1 victory at Eastbourne last weekend, when they scored their winner in the seventh minute of injury time. Realistically it's hard to see beyond Burton against Grays this weekend. At this time of the season when Burton are so close to sealing promotion, no match is easy. This could be low-scoring although I do expect Burton to win this one.

Verdict: Home win

Forest Green Rovers v Lewes

Home 2/7 Draw 7/2 Away 9/1

Forest Green earned an excellent 5-2 win at Altrincham last weekend and are three points clear of the drop zone, while Lewes were relegated following Tuesday night's results. Forest Green will be playing on Thursday night in the Setanta Shield, but the thing about this game is that Lewes are down and have nothing to play for. Forest Green will know this really should be three points and if they are going to stay up they need a win. Rovers will want to build on their win at Altrincham and give themselves a little bit of breathing space so it's a home win for me.

Verdict: Home win

Histon v Wrexham

Home 5/6 Draw 12/5 Away 3/1

Histon earned a 0-0 draw at home to Stevenage on Tuesday night and are currently in the play-off places, Wrexham on the other hand were hit by a late 1-0 defeat at home to Kidderminster on Monday evening. That was a big blow for the Red Dragons and they will have to win this game to have any chance of getting in the play-offs and go on a little run towards the end of the season. I didn't fancy Kidderminster to get a result against Wrexham, while Histon got a draw in midweek. This is a hard match to call and a draw looks the logical option.

Verdict: Draw

Kettering v Ebbsfleet

Home 3/4 Draw 12/5 Away 10/3

Kettering are currently four points outside the play-offs following their 0-0 draw away to York on Tuesday night but Ebbsfleet are in the bottom four after a 1-0 defeat at Salisbury in midweek. I'm tempted to go for a Kettering victory here as Ebbsfleet are about to suffer what Kettering have themselves over the last few days, in that Ebbsfleet have had the Salisbury game and the Setanta Shield semi-final to worry about and I think fixture congestion is really going to take its toll. Kettering won 2-0 down at Weymouth last weekend so on that basis I'm going to take the Poppies to beat Ebbsfleet but this will be two tired teams and it's hard to see it being a great game.

Verdict: Home win

Mansfield Town v Torquay United

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

Mansfield, currently in mid-table, take on a Torquay side that lies third in the table but drew 1-1 at home to Grays Athletic in midweek. That result was a big shock for Torquay, who have been playing well. This is another draw for me here. These two sides are quite well matched. Mansfield have been a big disappointment this season, while Torquay had been on a really good run before their draw with Grays. I'm going for a draw here in a tight contest.

Verdict: Draw

Northwich Victoria v Rushden & Diamonds

Home 3/1 Draw 12/5 Away 5/6

Northwich are currently second from bottom and will surely soon follow Lewes out of the Blue Square Premier. This week they are up against Rushden, who are mid-table after a 3-1 home defeat to Oxford United in midweek. That defeat was a surprise for the Diamonds, but again what Rushden are you going to get? This should be a banker for Rushden. Northwich have been a really frustrating side to follow in the last few weeks and it does look like the end is nigh for them. It's a shame because it is a good set-up at Northwich but they have got a lot of financial problems and I think Rushden will bounce back and win here.

Verdict: Away win

Salisbury v Eastbourne Borough

Home evens Draw 23/10 Away 5/2

Both sides are mid-table, with Salisbury earning a 1-0 win at home to Ebbsfleet in midweek. Eastbourne will take great heart from the way they played against leaders Burton last Saturday, when they lost 2-1 in injury time. I'm going for home advantage to be crucial here and a win for Salisbury. This will be a tough encounter and one goal will probably be enough.

Verdict: Home win

Stevenage Borough v Oxford United

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

This clash is arguably the pick of the games at the weekend with Stevenage high on confidence having booked their berth in the FA Trophy final against York City, although they had a 0-0 draw at Histon in midweek. Let's not overlook the fact that Boro are unbeaten in 22 matches and are just a point outside the play-offs, while Oxford also have their eyes on the top five and are just a point behind Stevenage having played two games more. With Oxford having earned a 3-1 victory at Rushden on Tuesday night, the value here will be to take a chance and go with Oxford to end Stevenage's unbeaten run which goes back to November. Oxford have a good chance and they're playing well and this promises to be a terrific contest. If the U's were to win then it would give them a big chance of reaching the play-offs. It's a big chance for Oxford. Can they take it? I think they could be value to do so.

Verdict: Away win

York City v Kidderminster Harriers

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

FA Trophy finalists York are just one point outside the bottom four after their 0-0 draw at home to Kettering on Tuesday night. Kidderminster, on the other hand, had an excellent 1-0 win at Wrexham on Monday night and are currently in the final play-off place. York really need a win here. Kidderminster haven't been the same team away as at home this season although they did get that fine win at Wrexham.

I'm going for York to win. Wembley will mean nothing for the Minstermen if they end up in the Blue Square North next season. I don't think they are actually going to suffer relegation but they have to be careful that the players don't get Wembley on their minds. York have had too many draws this season so while the logical result here is a stalemate, I'm going to go for a York win.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Treble

Oxford 2/1

York 13/8

Kettering 3/4

Mansfield v Torquay Draw 9/4

Cambridge 8/11