Blue Square Premier League midweek preview

Bettingpro Staff - 2 Dec 2009

Chris Wilder's Oxford United will be looking to re-establish their five-point lead at the top of league standings, while Stevenage, Mansfield and York all face trips away from home.

Altrincham find themselves sitting in 10th position in the Blue Square Premier standings and will have one eye on the promotion zone when Barrow make the trip to Moss Lane. The Robins trail fifth-placed Mansfield by six points and a victory over the visiting Bluebirds would certainly strengthen their play-off credentials.

Barrow, meanwhile, will be keen to open a bigger gap on the dreaded drop zone after doing brilliantly to hold Oxford to a 1-1 draw in their FA Cup clash at the weekend. Altrincham have the rare privilege of being odd-on favourites for the match but boss Graham Heathcote will be well aware that Barrow are no pushovers.

Crawley Town can expect a stern examination from Oxford United at Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday evening. Steve Evans' men currently occupy 13th place in the league standings with 28 points from 22 fixtures, while the U's hold a two-point lead but have one game in hand at the summit. Oxford are an eye-catching 4/5 to beat the injury-hit Sussex side.

Ebbsfleet United head coach Liam Daish will be targeting more of the same when his side take on second-placed Stevenage Borough at Stonebridge Road. The Fleet defied expectations to see off the challenge of high-flying Mansfield at a price of 7/2 at the weekend and a second straight victory would do wonders for the relegation-threatened side. Stevenage Borough will need to collect all three points on Tuesday night to stand a chance of claiming pole position in the Blue Square Premier. Graham Westley's team trail league leaders Oxford by just two points and hold a seven-point lead on third-placed York City. Stevenage are clear favourites at 4/7 but have struggled for goals recently and could appeal to win by a narrow margin. A 1-0 away win is 13/2.

Elsewhere, Ian Bogie's Gateshead entertain Mansfield Town at the International Stadium with The Stags needing to bounce back from their unlikely defeat at Ebbsfleet. The away team have drifted to 8/5 to scoop the vital three points against the in-form North-East side. Grays Athletic play host to Steve Fallon's Histon at New Recreation Ground and Julian Dicks’ side are 2/1 to claim a second victory on the bounce. Hayes & Yeading prepare for the visit of Eastbourne Borough to Church Road with manager Garry Haylock just missing out on the November manager of the month award. Hayes are 4/5 favourites to register another home win. Kidderminster Harriers take on Gary Mills' Tamworth at Aggborough and look very tempting at 4/5. Sixth-placed Rushden & Diamonds welcome ‘Blue Square Premier manager of the month for November’ Martin Foyle and his York City side to Nene Park. With both sides looking to improve their play-off credentials a stalemate may ensue at 9/4.




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