This weekend’s National League betting tips feature three intriguing fixtures, each presenting unique betting opportunities.
Gateshead host Braintree Town, with the home side looking to capitalise on their strong form against a struggling Braintree side battling to stay above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Maidenhead take on table-toppers York City, in a game where Maidenhead’s knack for scoring against top opposition could make it more competitive than expected. Finally, Fylde face Sutton United in what promises to be an open and high-scoring encounter, given both teams’ defensive vulnerabilities and consistent ability to find the net.
With key trends pointing toward goals and attacking action across these matches, this article explores the stats, form, and best betting angles to help you navigate the weekend’s fixtures. From Gateshead’s dominance at home to Sutton’s inconsistency on the road and York’s recent struggles away, there’s plenty of value to uncover in these games.
Let’s dive into the numbers and find the standout bets!
Gateshead vs Braintree Town
Gateshead currently sit fourth in the National League, just four points behind York City, although they have played one game more. With a strong record of W14-D5-L6, they are well-positioned for a playoff spot and remain 11 points clear of eighth-placed Halifax Town. At home, Gateshead boast the third-best record in the league with W9-D1-L2, earning 28 points from 12 matches. Their only home defeats came against second-placed Forest Green and seventh-placed Rochdale, underlining their strength on home turf.
In terms of recent form, Gateshead rank seventh over the last 10 matches, collecting 17 points during this period – just five fewer than league leaders York City, who have picked up 22. This consistency makes them strong favourites heading into this matchup.
Braintree Town, on the other hand, have found life difficult following their promotion to the National League last season. Already under new management, they sit precariously above the relegation zone on goal difference, tied on 23 points with three other sides. With a record of W6-D5-L14, their struggles are clear, particularly in attack, where they have averaged just 0.92 goals per game.
Their away form has been especially poor, with a dismal W2-D2-L8 record from 12 matches, scoring 14 but conceding 24 goals. They have managed just one clean sheet on the road all season, relying heavily on their home form to stay competitive. Only three teams have picked up fewer points on the road, and just four sides have conceded more goals away from home.
Braintree’s current form is equally concerning, with just one win in their last seven matches. Given Gateshead’s strong home record and Braintree’s defensive vulnerabilities, the hosts should have enough quality to secure all three points.
Gateshead to win and over 1.5 goals is priced at 1.7 with Betway. This looks like a solid option, given the high-scoring nature of Gateshead’s home games (averaging 3.08 goals) and Braintree’s away games (averaging 3.17 goals).
For more value, Gateshead to win and over 2.5 goals is available at 2.05. This bet has landed in seven of Braintree’s eight away defeats.
Given that Braintree have scored in nine of their 12 away matches, there is a good chance they will get on the scoresheet. If they do, Gateshead will need at least two goals to win, making the win and over 2.5 goals bet a strong play.
- Best Bet: Gateshead to win and over 2.5 goals at 2.05 with William Hill
Maidenhead vs York City
Maidenhead find themselves in serious trouble this season, sitting 21st in the National League with just 23 points from 21 matches. Their record of W6-D5-L14 is compounded by a porous defence that has conceded 49 goals – only two teams in the league have conceded more. At home, Maidenhead’s record stands at W3-D4-L5, with an average of 1.75 goals conceded per game. They have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their 12 home matches but have managed to score in eight of those games.
In mid-November, Maidenhead suffered a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Gateshead, but since then, their attacking output has shown improvement. They have scored in five of their last six matches, including twice in a 6-2 loss at York. At home, they have found the net in six of their last seven games, underscoring their desperation to secure points and move out of the relegation zone.
In stark contrast, York City are enjoying a stellar season, sitting at the top of the table with an impressive record of W16-D6-L3. No team has picked up more points at home than York, but their away form tells a different story. On the road, their record is W4-D5-L2, and they have now gone five away matches without a clean sheet, winning just once during this period.
Maidenhead’s record against the league’s top sides provides an interesting angle. They have faced teams in the top nine a total of 10 times (home and away) and have found the net in eight of those games. While victories against these sides have been rare, they have proven they can compete, with a standout 3-1 home win over third-placed Barnet as evidence of their capability on their day.
Given York’s recent struggles on the road and Maidenhead’s ability to score against top teams, the odds of 1.83 for both teams to score look appealing.
York have scored in eight of their 11 away matches this season, and despite their patchy away form, they should have enough quality to find the net against Maidenhead’s vulnerable defence. Maidenhead’s desperation for points and recent home scoring record makes both sides finding the net a strong play, as they are likely to press for goals to climb away from the relegation zone.
While York remain favourites, their recent defensive frailties on the road suggest this could be a more competitive fixture than expected.
- Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.83 with Coral
Fylde vs Sutton United
Fylde are struggling near the bottom of the National League, sitting 22nd with just 22 points from 24 matches. Only bottom-placed Fleetwood, with nine points, have conceded more goals than Fylde this season. Despite their defensive issues, Fylde’s home matches have been entertaining, averaging 3.75 goals per game. They have found the net in 10 of their 12 home fixtures but have only managed three clean sheets, one of which was a 2-0 victory over Ebbsfleet.
Key betting trends at Fylde’s home ground include both teams to score landing in eight of their 12 matches and over 2.5 goals hitting in nine of those games. Despite their struggles, Fylde are among the top 10 sides in terms of shots on target at home this season. However, no team has conceded more shots on target than Fylde, with an average of 4.92 per home match.
Their opponents, Sutton United, have had an inconsistent campaign, with a record of W9-D7-L9. They have scored 34 goals this season while conceding 33. On the road, Sutton have managed just three clean sheets from 12 matches but have scored in nine of those games. Away fixtures for Sutton average 2.75 goals per match, with both teams scoring in seven of their 12 away games.
Looking at combined trends, these two sides are prone to high-scoring games. Across Fylde’s 12 home matches and Sutton’s 12 away matches, there have been only six clean sheets and five instances where a team failed to score. Both teams to score has landed in 15 of these 24 matches, a trend the bookies have accounted for with odds of 1.57 for both teams to score.
To increase the value, both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is available at 1.95, a reasonable price given the defence issues of both sides this season. With both sides regularly finding the net and struggling defensively, this game is set up well for goals.
Given Fylde’s defensive vulnerability and Sutton’s inconsistencies expect an open and attacking game where goals are likely.
- Best Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.95 with Ladbrokes
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