As we head into the business end of the National League campaign, the pressure is mounting at both ends of the table — and that makes for a cracking weekend of betting opportunities.
Southend are pushing hard for a playoff spot and face a stuttering Solihull Moors side in desperate need of a result to halt their slide. Boston United are battling to avoid relegation and host playoff-chasing Altrincham in what promises to be a tense affair. Meanwhile, it’s all-or-nothing for Tamworth, who must beat a much-improved Braintree side to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
With all six sides fighting for crucial points — whether for survival or promotion — these matches are set up perfectly for goals, drama, and value in the betting markets. Let’s break down each fixture and highlight the best angles to watch this weekend.
Boston Utd vs Altrincham
Boston United remain in serious danger of relegation, sitting just three points above Dagenham & Redbridge in 21st, with five games left to play. Their home record this season reads W4-D7-L9, with 13 of their 20 home games going over 2.5 goals. They have kept just three clean sheets at home, but have only failed to score in six matches — five of which came against sides currently in the top seven.
Despite a poor start to their home campaign, things have improved since late November. Since then, they have gone W4-D4-L2 at home, scoring 16 goals. That run includes a win over promotion-chasing York City, and they have only failed to score in three of their last 10 home matches — those 10 games averaging 2.6 goals. Across their 20 home games overall, the goal average sits at 2.65.
They host Altrincham this weekend — a side still firmly in the playoff hunt. Altrincham are eighth, level on 60 points with Southend, just one behind Rochdale in seventh, and only four points shy of Halifax in fifth. It's all to play for.
On the road, Altrincham have a record of W7-D5-L8, with 80% of their 20 away games seeing over 2.5 goals. They have failed to score in only four away fixtures and have kept just four clean sheets. However, their away form against teams in the bottom half has been underwhelming for a promotion hopeful — W3-D4-L4. Their six away matches against the bottom six have produced 25 goals in total, including two 3-3 draws.
That said, the Robins recent form has dipped. They have won just two of their last 10 matches, a sharp contrast to the previous 10, where they lost only once. They now find themselves in real danger of missing out on a playoff spot.
With both teams desperate for three points — Boston fighting for survival and Altrincham chasing the playoffs — this match should be an open affair. Both teams to score looks likely, and the attacking urgency on both sides could push the total past the 2.5 goal line.
Altrincham have scored in 13 of their last 14 away matches but have only kept two clean sheets in that time. Boston have scored in 10 of their last 12 and conceded in nine, showing both teams are capable in attack but remain vulnerable at the back.
Expect goals — and potentially a thrilling end-to-end contest with plenty on the line.
- Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.75 with Bet365
Southend vs Solihull Moors
This is another crucial fixture where both teams are in need of points for very different reasons, as Solihull Moors travel to face Southend United.
Southend sit just one point outside the playoff spots and will see this as a must-win game. At home, they have been solid with a record of W9-D6-L5, and 50% of their home matches have gone over 2.5 goals. They have failed to score in just four of those games. However, their recent form has been inconsistent — W5-D6-L3 over their last 14 matches, which have averaged 2.64 goals per game.
Defensively, Southend have been shaky during that run, keeping just one clean sheet, but they have scored in 11 of those 14 matches. Both teams have found the net in 10 of their last 12 games, with the last 10 averaging a lively 2.92 goals per match.
Solihull, meanwhile, are in poor form. Over their last 12 matches, no team in the league has picked up fewer points. They have managed just one win in that time, scoring only nine goals.
Their away record this season is W6-D5-L9. They have kept just four clean sheets in 20 away fixtures and failed to score in only five. However, it's just one win in their last 15 matches overall — a dismal run. That said, they have scored in six of their last eight, including in a narrow 1-0 defeat at Forest Green. They have won only once in their last 10 away games, though they have scored in seven of those and kept just one clean sheet.
With Southend pushing hard to edge past Gateshead and Rochdale for a playoff spot, and Solihull needing points to steer clear of a relegation battle, both teams will be going for it here. Given the attacking urgency and defensive vulnerabilities, this looks like another spot where both teams to score is a strong play.
- Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.91 with Bet365
Tamworth vs Braintree
It’s now or never for Tamworth if they are to mount a late push for the playoffs. They sit four points behind Rochdale with five games remaining, meaning anything less than a win here would likely end their hopes. Encouragingly, Tamworth have been in solid form — only four sides have collected more points over the last 10 fixtures.
At home, their record stands at W8-D8-L4, though they have only kept three clean sheets across 20 home games. Despite some defensive issues, they have been reliable in attack, failing to score in just three of those home fixtures. Following a 3-1 defeat at Maidenhead last time out, Tamworth have now scored in 14 consecutive matches. However, they have only kept three clean sheets in that run, with both teams scoring in 11 of those 14 games.
Home matches this season have averaged 2.6 goals, and both teams have found the net in 15 of Tamworth’s 20 home fixtures — a strong trend pointing toward goals again here.
Braintree, meanwhile, have pulled themselves clear of the relegation battle following a managerial change. The turnaround has been significant. They scored just three goals in their first six games and only five in their opening 11, but since the switch in the dugout, their last 20 games have averaged 2.75 goals.
They have scored in 17 of those 20 matches, though they have also conceded in 15 of them. Their away form has been especially high-scoring — their last 10 away matches have averaged 3.6 goals per game. Braintree have scored in all 10 of those, keeping just two clean sheets, both coming against AFC Fylde and Fleetwood, who sit 23rd and 24th respectively.
With Braintree sitting 16th and eight points above the drop zone, they are unlikely to get dragged into a relegation scrap and do not have much to play for. Tamworth, by contrast, are fighting for their season and desperately need all three points to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Given the stakes for the hosts and the recent goal trends for both sides, this match looks well set up for both teams to score — and possibly another high-scoring affair.
- Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.80 with Bet365
Further Reading
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs Leicester City Prediction and Betting Tips
- Nottingham Forest vs Everton Prediction and Betting Tips
- Southampton vs Aston Villa Prediction and Betting Tips
- Manchester City vs Crystal Palace Prediction and Betting Tips
- Leicester City vs Newcastle United Prediction and Betting Tips
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