Fleetwood Town and Gatshead have the chance to overtake Wrexham at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table if they win their matches on Saturday, with the current leaders playing a day later at Hayes & Yeading United.
Fleetwood are the shortest priced favourites of the weekend in the division. Micky Mellon's team are priced at 1/2 to beat visitors Forest Green Rovers. The Cod Army are in fine form, taking 19 points from a possible 21 in recent weeks, with an unbeaten run of seven matches. Their games are also guaranteeing entertainment too, with every one of those seven matches featuring at least three goals. Punters who are fans of the 'both teams to score' market will no doubt look towards the matches of the Lancashire side - again with all seven recent fixtures producing a winner in that market too. That stat also suggests that teams get chances even when underdogs against Mellon's men, it also brings into question their title credentials with such a leaky defence. It's incredible that the team currently in second place in the division have only the twelfth best defence based on goals conceded. They could certainly be trusted this weekend against a stuttering Forest Green side, but at such a short price may only appeal to accumulator punters.
Gateshead are two goals inferior to Fleetwood in the goal difference column, so it's more than likely that Ian Bogie's team will be situated in second spot on Sunday morning if they win at Ebbsfleet United. They are the 11/10 favourites to do so, but their backers will need to be wary after a heavy home defeat in midweek - which took Wrexham to the top of the table. Gateshead had both first choice central defenders absent on the night and have taken steps in recent days to fill the potential void with loan signings. An untested partnership at the back could give Ebbsfleet plenty of chances and they certainly have the players to take advantage at a price of 2/1. A better bet could be 'over 2.5' goals at 7/10 - with the visitors also posing a big threat in front of goal.
Wrexham's game at Hayes & Yeading United on Sunday will offer them the chance to go back to the top of the table, regardless of what happens on Saturday. They are the 5/6 favourites to win at Kingfield, with a home win offered at 11/4. Whilst Wrexham should win this, Hayes & Yeading games have been extremely hard to predict in this early part of the season - with the shortest priced selection beaten in over 50% of their matches.
Fourth placed Braintree Town travel to York City this weekend with the home side having a chance to leapfrog the Essex outfit with a win at 8/11. The Minstermen are worthy favourites but have certainly struggled in home matches when odds-on a few times already this season. Braintree have an impressive record of 4 wins from 6 away games already this campaign and will no doubt give a good account of themselves at Bootham Crescent. Alan Devonshire's team are the 16/5 outsiders for the game, but this could end much closer than those odds suggest.
It's 5th v 6th at Aggborough as Kidderminster Harriers host Luton Town. The Harriers were dealt a huge blow in midweek with the suggestion that goalkeeper Daniel Lewis could be out for the rest of the season. Steve Burr's team are the 2/1 outsiders for this game despite having home advantage. Luton are offered at 11/10 after bouncing back to form with a 5-1 home demolition of Barrow last week. Grimsby Town also scored 5 last week and they look like decent outsiders at a price of 11/4 to win at Mansfield. Liam Hearn has found his scoring touch for The Mariners and he looks good value at 7/1 to net first in the game. A Mansfield win is offered at 5/6.
Newport County appointed Justin Edinburgh as their new manager in midweek and that looks like a good decision by them. Edinburgh knows the division inside out and could have an immediate impact. He is 11/10 to win his first game in charge - a home match against Southport. Tamworth are looking to halt a four game winless run as they welcome Lincoln to The Lamb on Saturday. The Imps picked up a win at Bath last weekend to slightly ease the pressure on manager Steve Tilson and we offer 21/10 that they can complete back-to-back victories in league games for the first time since February. A home win is priced at 11/10.
Barrow and AFC Telford sit one place apart in mid-table - which is a decent return for both clubs at this stage of the season. They meet at Holker Street this weekend, with home advantage making Barrow our favourites at 11/10. Telford come into the game unbeaten in five matches and look good value to get at least a point. A draw is advised at 23/10.
Elsewhere a depleted Kettering Town team go to Alfreton, where the home side can be backed at 13/10 to inflict more misery on Mark Stimson's men. The teams meet after two straight defeats each. Darlington need to build on their win over Newport last week and have the ideal chance as they visit winless Bath City. Mark Cooper's team are the 11/10 favourites to get another three points as they aim for the top half of the table.
By Alan Alger from Blue Square
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