The final day of the National League season promises drama at both ends of the table, with promotion dreams and relegation battles coming down to the wire. We have taken a closer look at three key fixtures with plenty on the line.
York’s trip to Eastleigh as they tune up for the play-offs, Southend’s crunch clash at Gateshead with a top-seven spot in reach, and a must-win game for Maidenhead as they fight for survival against a safe but in-form Boston side. With tension high and goals likely, there is plenty of value to be found in the betting markets across these decisive matches.
Gateshead vs Southend
Southend head to Gateshead on Monday with around 1,700 fans making the long trip north, knowing a point will be enough to secure a play-off spot. Destiny is firmly in their own hands.
Gateshead’s season has taken a dramatic turn. After 32 games, they sat fourth with 58 points, having won 17 matches and conceded 41 goals—just nine points off the top. Since then, they have added only two more wins in 13 games, conceded 27 more goals, and now find themselves eighth on 66 points, one place and one point outside the play-offs. Monday is now a must-win.
Their home form is patchy at best, with a record of W11-D3-L11. They have failed to score in five and kept just five clean sheets. Against top-10 sides at home, it is W1-D1-L6, with only one clean sheet in those eight games. Over their last 13 matches, Gateshead have won just two (W2-D2-L9), conceding an average of 2.08 goals per game and failing to keep a single clean sheet in that stretch.
In contrast, Southend have hit form at exactly the right time. They have lost just four of their last 20 games and come into this one off back-to-back wins by an aggregate score of 7-0. Their away record stands at W7-D8-L5, and they have suffered only two defeats in their last 17 outings. They have also recorded eight away clean sheets this season. Against top-half sides on the road, their record is a solid W3-D4-L3, with the only two losses coming against the league’s top two.
With momentum, defensive solidity, and a large travelling support behind them despite the 12-hour round trip, Southend look well placed to finish the job.
- Best Bet: Southend draw no bet (DNB) at 1.80 with 888 Sport
Maidenhead vs Boston Utd
Maidenhead head into the final day knowing only a win will give them a chance of survival, with results elsewhere needing to fall in their favour. It is a tense three-way battle between Maidenhead, Dagenham, and Wealdstone, while Braintree aren't mathematically safe but would need a highly unlikely set of results to be dragged into the drop zone.
A five-game unbeaten run, including three wins, has given Maidenhead hope at just the right time. They have scored two or more goals in four of those last five games. Their home record reads W6-D7-L9, with 50% of those games seeing over 2.5 goals, but they have managed just one clean sheet all season at York Road.
Boston arrive safe after a superb run that saw them survive thanks to form that included wins in 10 of their last 20, scoring in 16 of those. Away from home they are W7-D3-L10, but have lost three of their last four on the road and conceded two or more in three of their last five away trips. That said, they have found the net in eight of their last nine away games and with nothing to play for, they may still play with freedom.
Maidenhead have no choice but to go for it, and with their attacking form and defensive frailties, this one has the potential for goals at both ends.
- Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 2.0 with 888 Sport
Eastleigh vs York City
York are confirmed in 2nd place and a play-off semi-final after Barnet comfortably secured the title. While their fate has been clear for a few weeks, York have maintained strong form with six wins from their last seven games. Their overall record stands at W26-D7-L7, with matches averaging 3.10 goals. They have only failed to score in three away matches all season, and 50% of those on the road have featured over 2.5 goals. They have kept nine clean sheets, although six of those came against bottom-half sides, and they have conceded in four of their last five. Each of their last four away games has seen at least three goals, with both teams scoring in three. With no pressure on them, York may play with more freedom and attacking intent.
Eastleigh are 11th in the table and have been reliable scorers at home, finding the net in every home game this season. Their home record reads W9-D9-L4, with six clean sheets—five of those against teams in the bottom half. Against top-half sides at home, they have managed just two wins in ten (W2-D5-L3), but both teams have scored in nine of those matches. Their last ten games have returned just one win (W1-D5-L4), with both teams scoring in six and Eastleigh conceding in nine.
With both teams consistently finding the net and showing vulnerability at the back, over 2.5 goals looks the strongest play here.
- Best Bet: Over 2.5 goal at 1.91 with William Hill
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