Saturday’s Football Bet of the Day see’s me delve into both the Dutch second tier and the English National League and I’ve picked two sides in the hunt for promotion who should be too strong for their struggling opponents.
Eastleigh vs Stockport County
🏴 National League
⏰ Saturday 26th March, 15:00
Stockport will look to take another step closer to claiming the National League title, as they travel to Hampshire to take on Eastleigh at Silverlake Stadium. The visitors are currently 10 points clear of second-placed Chesterfield, despite playing a game fewer, whilst the hosts are 19th, 15 points outside the relegation zone.
Eastleigh lost for the third match in-a-row last time out, as they lost 0-1 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge. Prior to that, Lee Bradbury’s side defeated Wealdstone 4-1 in their previous home match but that is their only win in their last 15 in the National League. Eastleigh have kept just five clean sheets from their opening 34 league fixtures this season, with just one of those coming in their last 16. Eastleigh have conceded 54 times this season, with 10 of those coming in their last three matches.
Stockport extended their winning run to seven matches last time out, as they comfortably defeated relegation-strugglers King’s Lynn 0-3 away from home. In fact, Dave Challinor’s side have now won 15 of their last 16 in the National League, only failing to defeat second-placed Chesterfield in that run (2-2). Stockport have found the back of the net in 30/34 matches in the league this season, including in each of their last 27 matches. Stockport are the top-scorers in the National League, with the Hatters finding the back of the net on 72 occasions, with 38 of those coming away from home.
Excelsior vs Helmond sport
🇳🇱 Eerste Divisie
⏰ Saturday 26th February, 17:45
Excelsior will look to cut the gap to second-place Volendam on Saturday teatime, as they host bottom side Helmond Sport. The hosts are currently five points outside the automatic promotion places, whilst the visitors are four points adrift of 19th-placed Jong Utrecht.
Excelsior rescued a point away at TOP Oss last time out, as they scored an 86th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1. Prior to that draw, Excelsior had won each of their last five in the Eerste Divisie, scoring on 18 occasions. Excelsior have found the back of the net in 27/31 of their league fixtures this season and are the divisions top-scorers, finding the back of the net 70 times. The Kralingers have scored half of their total goals at home, scoring on two or more occasions in 11 of their last 13 in Rotterdam.
Helmond Sport put an end to their three-match losing streak last time out, as they surprisingly thumped NAC Breda 4-0 at home. Prior to that win, Helmond had won just one of their previous 11 in the Eerste Divisie, losing eight times (W1-D2-L8). Wil Boessen’s side have recorded seven clean sheets from their opening 31 fixtures this season, with just three of those coming away from home. Only Den Bosch (9) and Dordrecht (11) have collected fewer points on their travels this season than Helmond, with The Kattenmeppers earning just 12 points (W3-W3-L9).
Bet of the Day
Stockport County come into this in sensational form, winning 15 of their last 16 in the league and will be confident of defeating an Eastleigh side that’s won just once in their last 15. The Hatters have scored two or more in nine of their last 11 matches away from and look a good bet to score another brace away to their out-of-form hosts. Excelsior know they can close the gap to second-place Volendam to just two points with a win and they’ll be confident of defeating a Helmond side that’s bottom and that’s lost eight of their last 11. Excelsior have scored two or more in 11 of their last 13 at home and look a good bet to score another brace against a Helmond side that’s conceded 13 goals in their last five away games.
- Stockport County to Score 2+
- Excelsior to Score 2+
- Double Pays 13/10 (Unibet)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Stockport County to Score 2+ ✅ (0-2)
Excelsior to Score 2+ 😭 (2-0, 48 mins)
Double Pays 13/10 (Unibet) ✅✅
Nice one