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Rushden Diamonds face Salisbury at Nene Park

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Diamonds set to polish off Salisbury

Saturday April 4, 2009

Barrow v Woking

Prices correct at time of writing (2pm, Wednesday April 1, 2009).

Home 10/11 Draw 12/5 Away 13/5

Barrow have eased their relegation fears in the last two weeks but are still just two points above the drop zone and they take on a Woking side who are also desperate for the points so it's a real six-pointer. Barrow really need to get some points from their home games, while Woking lost 1-0 at home to Cambridge United late on. I'm going for Barrow to win and that would really mean that Woking are in trouble. It's a huge clash for Woking and a long trip up to Barrow. I think home advantage will be significant so it's a Bluebirds win for me.

Verdict: Home win

Cambridge United v Forest Green Rovers

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

Cambridge are in second place and won 1-0 at Woking on Monday night. Forest Green have hauled themselves out of trouble in recent weeks and beat already-relegated Lewes 4-1 last weekend. Forest Green are scoring goals but Cambridge are on a good run and while they feel they have half a chance of catching Burton it will definitely be game on and I think the U's will win this match. They will be in the play-offs at worst and will be hoping they can go back to Wembley and get the job done this year.

Verdict: Home win

Crawley Town v Burton Albion

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

Crawley are seven points off the play-offs now and lost 2-1 at Eastbourne on Tuesday night and drew 2-2 Altrincham on Saturday so are just slipping off the pace. Leaders Burton have just got themselves back in to a bit of form even though they drew 1-1 at home to Kettering on Tuesday night after a recent blip. I think Burton could be the value to win this game as the incentive for them is colossal and Crawley have gone off the boil with the Eastbourne defeat. They also didn't play that well against Altrincham so I'm going for Burton to win this.

Verdict: Away win

Eastbourne Borough v Weymouth

No odds available.

Eastbourne are safely in mid-table and host Weymouth, with a few noises coming out of the club that it might be best if they are relegated because of their financial problems and the fact they are still fielding the youth side. They are only two points off the drop zone and have been on the slide since the mass player exodus from the Terras. It's hard not to go with Eastbourne here. Weymouth showed a bit more against Kettering but they were disappointing in their televised 3-0 home defeat to Barrow. They need a goal from somewhere, I don't think they'll get thrashed but I think Eastbourne will win by a couple of goals and that should be enough to keep them in the Blue Square Premier for next season.

Verdict: Home win

Ebbsfleet United v Northwich Victoria

Home 8/13 Draw 13/5 Away 4/1

Ebbsfleet are just one point above the drop zone but have plenty of games in hand, while Northwich are all-but relegated and drew 1-1 at home to Salisbury in midweek. The Vics are 15 points from safety with just seven matches to go. I saw Ebbsfleet in their midweek 1-0 home win over Altrincham and they were excellent in the first 20 minutes but are vulnerable at the back. I think this will be an entertaining game, Northwich have nothing to lose and I expect there to be goals. I think Ebbsfleet will win it and expect three or more goals in the match.

Verdict: Home win

Grays Athletic v York City

Home 13/10 Draw 9/4 Away15/8

The game of the weekend is down at the bottom of the table. Grays are in the drop zone on 40 points, with York fifth-from-bottom and also on 40 points. This is a massive game and York cannot afford to lose. I don't know if they would take a point now if you offered it to them but I think that's what they are going to get. A win would give York a bit of breathing space, they shouldn't be down here but they've had too many draws. I still think they will get out of it, but we've seen in other divisions that you're never too good to go down. They can't afford to lose and I'm going for a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Kidderminster Harriers v Stevenage Borough

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

Stevenage leapfrogged Kidderminster and went back into the play-off places with their 2-0 win at York in midweek but Kidderminster can go back above Boro if they win this clash. If you offered Stevenage a draw before the game then they'd snap your hand off. Despite the fact that Boro are in good form and on a long unbeaten run, Kidderminster are superb at home. However, I'm going to take the logical result and the biggest price which is a draw.

Verdict: Draw

Lewes v Altrincham

Home 15/4 Draw 13/5 Away 4/6

Lewes are already relegated after a miserable season, but sometimes when teams are already down you have to be a bit wary of them. Altrincham are not playing too badly and could do with a win to secure safety. When Altrincham conceded early against Ebbsfleet they did take their foot off the gas but showed a lot of character in the second half of the 1-0 away defeat. I'm going for Altrincham to win as they still have something to play for and this is a big opportunity.

Verdict: Away win

Oxford United v Histon

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

Oxford are four points behind Stevenage, who occupy the last play-off place, and the U's drew 1-1 at Boro last Saturday. Histon are looking to cement their place in the play-offs. Oxford could make the play-offs but only if they beat Histon. Chris Wilder's men put in a good performance last weekend and I think they will beat Histon, with odds against a very attractive betting proposition.

Verdict: Home win

Rushden & Diamonds v Salisbury City

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

This is the proverbial mid-table scrap between Rushden & Diamonds and Salisbury. I'm going for a home win. Salisbury have been up and down and Rushden have also been so inconsistent. A draw wouldn't surprise me but I thought Rushden should be a shorter price so I'm going for a home win.

Verdict: Home win

Torquay United v Kettering Town

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

Torquay have a five-point cushion over sixth-placed Kidderminster and drew 1-1 at Mansfield last weekend. Kettering picked up an excellent point in their 1-1 draw at Burton in midweek. The Gulls also play Burton on Monday and I'm going for them to win this one with home advantage. They'll be hoping to get in the play-offs and win promotion.

Verdict: Home win

Wrexham v Mansfield Town

Home evens Draw 23/10 Away 5/2

Wrexham have just slipped up in recent weeks and have given themselves too much to do as far as reaching the play-offs are concerned. They need to win every game and that's a big ask for Dean Saunders' side but I think they'll be a factor in the promotion race next season. I also believe they'll win this clash at the Racecourse Ground against Mansfield, who lost 3-0 at Histon in midweek.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Treble

Rushden 11/10

Oxford 11/10

Burton 13/10