A week in which this scout is backing goals, starting with Aldershot Town v Notts County.

Firstly, Notts County. They are the dominant side of the division. Top of the division, most goals scored, best xG for and against. They have scored in every single away match they have played this season and have conceded an average of 5.5 shots per game over their last seven matches. They have scored four goals in three of their last five in the league and three or more in 12 of 25 games this season, including in four of their seven matches on the road against bottom 11 sides. There have been at least three goals scored in all but two of their away matches.

The likely outcome here is that Notts County turn up and give Aldershot Town a beating on their home turf. After all, The Shots have lost five of their last seven, have conceded two or more in all five defeats and their open 4-3-3 style could be perfect to play against for a County side that dominate the ball. Especially when Ross McNeilly isn’t entirely sure of his best centre-back partnership and has minimal senior players to turn to at the moment on his bench.

Yet, they did beat Notts County in this fixture last season. They have also beaten Barnet and Southend United at home and three of their four home wins have seen three or more goals scored. They have scored two or more goals in every league wins this term, have scored in ten of their last 11 league matches and all but two of their home matches. If they do pull off a shock, they will have to score goals to do it.

A game in which the numbers and style match-up works in the favour of both teams scoring.

Firstly, Barnet and Gateshead are used to games involving goals, the hosts seeing 61% of their matches end with both teams scoring and the visitors 75% – a divisional high. Barnet come into this game on the back of a Christmas double-header in which they scored and conceded in both and though their defensive numbers have been strong on the whole (two goals conceded in six matches), they are giving up just shy of 1.5xG per game. Gateshead, meanwhile, found form over the break, scoring five goals in their two matches against York City from over 5xG created having been competitive in the two losses beforehand as well.

Stylistically, this makes for an enjoyable encounter too. Barnet like a high line, to press high, play with real width and an open style to pen the opposition in. The visitors like deep possession and to spring quickly with forward runners in attack and midfield. So while Gateshead can succumb to errors playing out from the back and crumble under waves of attack due to some defensive deficiencies, as proven by the late goal for York, they are also very adept at creating opportunities with direct forward play through the thirds. Nicke Kabamba, back from suspension, and Danny Elliott, three goals and an assist in his last two games, will be rubbing their hands together.

My early prediction is that this will be the game of the weekend.

The reverse fixture made for a fantastic spectacle, chairman Frank Rothwell pulling out all the stops for his first home game as owner, only to finish up nervy as Dorking pulled back two goals.

Marc White has been buzzing about “Premier League” Oldham Athletic coming to Dorking Wanderers but he’s promised an “all out attack” style for this one – and he tends to stick to his word. That means goals. The Wanderers have averaged 3.92 across their league matches this season (highest in the division), have seen 77% of their matches finished with three or more goals (highest in the division) and ten of their 13 home matches do so. Against sides in the bottom five, which is where Oldham Athletic find themselves, they have played five matches and seen all of them play out with three or more goals and both teams scoring. They are likely to have key defenders Ed Harris and Barry Fuller return for this one but neither are 100% fit.

Oldham are becoming entertainers themselves under David Unsworth, seeing each of their last five matches finish up with both sides and three or more goals having been scored. There is a natural imbalance to the side that Unsworth is refusing to acknowledge at present in an attempt to stick to a style of play, so whether they play 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2, their less-than-pacy defence is forced high behind a midfield that lacks a natural protector – young loanees Ellis Chapman and Sydie Peck playing there last time out. Their forwards are in form, at least, new striker Joe Nuttall scoring in both of his first two matches.

Two sides whose game is all about playing forward and committing runners forward while leaving space behind. There will be goals.

Final goals selection of the week is at Glanford Park where ex-Championship outfit Scunthorpe United take on part-time Maidenhead United in the type of game the National League is adored for.

Scunthorpe United are in a bad way at the moment, their takeover unable to get off the ground and having picked up one point from their previous nine matches. They have kept just one clean sheet all season, and that was against a depleted Yeovil Town side. This is the type of game Scunthorpe have at least performed in this season, losing only two of ten matches against sides in the bottom ten and winning three and drawing two of six at home. So, they should be competitive here. They have scored in six of their last eight matches. Both teams have scored in five of their six home matches against bottom ten sides and eight of ten overall.

Maidenhead United will fancy their chances of turning up against Scunthorpe United and bullying them. They’re big, strong, organised and utilise set-pieces brilliantly and are playing a Scunthorpe side likely to start three academy players, a goalkeeper that has had issues commanding his box all season and whose full-backs are unlikely to cope with Nathaniel-George or Barratt, key creators. Maidenhead have picked up three wins and two draws from seven against the sides below them and both sides hae scored in five of their matches and in seven of ten against the bottom 11. Their three matches against the bottom three have all finished 3-2.