Barnet v Woking

Leading into Tuesday, Barnet had only played once in two and a half weeks – a 6-0 victory against National League basement outfit Dover Athletic. That rest will have been welcomed by Dean Brennan who was finally able to get some bodies back into the side – he fielded four centre-backs in midweek having often struggled to field two in recent weeks.  

While it sounds a little too defensive, it was done with good reason. They were playing local rivals Boreham Wood and the game plan worked – they won 1-0. Notably, Jamie Turley returned after time away for an off-field issue and it felt like further evidence that things are starting to settle down at The Hive. Brennan and his side have the opportunity to look forward and finish the season strongly, starting on Saturday. They have lost just one of their nine home matches against sides 11^th or lower in the league table and key creator Rob Hall could return to the side for this one having been rested in midweek.  

Woking remain managerless with Ian Dyer still in caretaker charge following Alan Dowson’s departure. They have won one, drew one and lost one since the change was made, Woking scoring one and conceding one. Dyer has opted for a change of formation, moving to 4-2-3-1 from 3-4-1-2 and that appears to have given them a stronger base to work from. The Cards come into this one without a win in eight matches on the road and they’ve scored just four goals in those matches.  

Brennan likes his side to attack the sides below them in the table and The Cards are yet to come up against a pacey, tricky forward line under Dyer – it will be a test for a defence that lacks mobility.  

Bromley v Wrexham

Wrexham have well and truly found their form after a patchy opening to the campaign.  

Phil Parkinson’s side have won 14 of their last 19 matches and each of their last five. Crucially, the Welsh club have beaten Grimsby Town, Chesterfield and Boreham Wood in recent weeks, as well as knocking Notts County out of the FA Trophy. Ollie Palmer has proven an inspired signing – he, Paul Mullin and Jordan Davies have scored 11 goals in Wrexham’s last five matches. Davies missed the 4-2 victory against Boreham Wood but could return for this one. Wrexham have won ten of their 17 league matches away from home this season.  

The FA Trophy was something of a welcome distraction for Andy Woodman and his Bromley side last weekend, a 3-1 victory against fellow play-off contenders Solihull Moors seeing them progress to the semi-finals of the competition. However, their league form has been ropey for a while now, winning just six of their last 15 league matches and none of their last four. Defeat against FC Halifax Town on Tuesday saw The Ravens drop to 10^th in the table. They have been strong at home this season, winning ten from 15 at Hayes Lane this term, but they are yet to taste victory against any of the current top five.  

Not only do Wrexham have a lot of players that belong to a higher level, they are also playing as part of a consistent style and selection while their hosts this weekend are chopping, changing and signing quite a few players. I think that consistency will be crucial on Saturday.  

Dagenham & Redbridge v Notts County

Saturday sees Dagenham and Redbridge and Notts County face off in a big game as far as the play-off race is concerned.  

Three consecutive 3-0 victories have relieved the pressure on Daryl McMahon slightly having seen his side win just eight of their previous 23 and also being knocked out by National League North side York City in the FA Trophy having led until the 97^th minute.  

They may fancy their chances of continuing their good form on Saturday given Notts County’s indifferent away record. They were beaten 3-0 by Stockport County in midweek with Burchnall’s admitting afterwards that his side was not in the right shape to play the game thanks to a virus. He will be hoping players are recovered for Saturday but they will remain without captain Kyle Cameron and February Player of the Month Elisha Sam.  

Despite their difficulties on the road, County have scored in 12 of their 16 away matches and have also scored in all but one match against sides in the top 12. The Daggers, meanwhile, have conceded in every match they have played against sides in the top 11 and have scored in 13 of their last 15 matches overall, useful when coming up against a side missing both of its first-choice centre-backs. 

Both sides are at their best when playing on the front foot and neither is particularly adept defensively. Goals can be expected.  

£50

Free Bets

Get £50 in bet credits when you sign & bet £10.

Claim Offer

T&C’s apply

For new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

Claim Offer

Solihull Moors v Eastleigh

Neal Ardley was openly unhappy with the way his side failed to carry out instructions in their FA Trophy defeat at Bromley last weekend and it continued a concerning defensive pattern – his side have now conceded 12 goals in six matches in all competitions.  

However, their defensive record has been very strong throughout the campaign and I’m backing them to revert to type this weekend. Callum Howe and Mark Ellis have had a week’s rest after getting minutes in their legs and Lois Maynard could return for this one. The Moors are nine unbeaten and have scored 11 goals in their last five league matches. They are also excellent at home having lost just two of their last 14 – against Stockport County and Chesterfield.  

It’s not the fixture Lee Bradbury will have wanted having seen his side lose 4-0 away at Altrincham last weekend. The Spitfires have lost 12 of their 16 league matches away from home. Their record against sides in the top 14 is even worse with one win and ten defeats – Eastleigh have only scored in two of those matches. Bradbury is yet to make changes to the side he inherited from Ben Strevens and Jason Bristow so it’s unlikely that we will see big changes just yet.  

Halifax Town v Torquay United

I’m backing FC Halifax Town to continue their excellent form at The Shay on Saturday.  

Pete Wild’s side have the strongest home record in the division having won 12 of their 15 matches and their record against sides outside of the top five reads 11 wins and one loss, conceding just six goals in those matches. They have won five of their last six overall, including Tuesday’s huge victory against fellow promotion contenders Bromley – a result that means they now have the second-best points-per-game record in the National League behind leaders Stockport County.  

It’s going to be a tough ask for Torquay United to leave with anything, even despite their improved form. Since early December, Torquay United have lost just two of 15 league matches and come into this game unbeaten in seven, impressively holding Boreham Wood and Bromley as well as beating Wrexham. However, they have won just two of 14 matches against sides above them in the league table and none of their six away matches.  

There isn’t a huge amount between these sides on paper but The Shaymen utilise home comforts better than anybody else in the division so I’m backing them. 

18+ please gamble responsibly.

Back the Four and Five Star Selections as an Accumulator on Betfair ⬇️

*Bet link only appears when accessing from mobile.

Haven’t got a Betfair account? You’re in luck…

Sign up to Betfair and get a full refund if your first bet loses. Grab an account through the offer below and place £20 on the 10/1 National League Best Bets Accumulator. Here are the two possible outcomes: