As the National League season heats up, three crucial fixtures stand out this weekend, each with significant implications at both ends of the table.
Promotion-chasing Barnet travel to an out-of-form Oldham Athletic in a game that could further strengthen their grip on the top spot. Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers look to maintain their unbeaten home record as they face a struggling Maidenhead side desperate to avoid the drop. Finally, Gateshead, boasting one of the league’s best home records, take on bottom-three side AFC Fylde, who are under new leadership and fighting for survival.
With promotion, playoff ambitions, and relegation battles all at stake, these matchups provide an excellent opportunity for betting insights. We will break down the key stats, form, and trends to help you find value in this weekend’s National League action.
Oldham Athletic vs Barnet
Barnet have an overall away record of W8-D4-L5 and are in strong recent form on the road, going W5-D4-L0 in their last nine games. They have lost just once in their last 20 matches, a defeat to York in mid-October, and remain unbeaten in their last eight away fixtures. Sitting at the top of the table, they are six points clear of second-placed York. Defensively, they have kept eight clean sheets away from home whilst only failing to score in four matches. However, they have struggled against top-six teams on the road, failing to win in six attempts (W0-D3-L3). Over the last 10 games, no team has won more points or conceded fewer goals than Barnet, with just three goals conceded. Their last seven away matches have averaged 1.43 goals per game.
Oldham have an overall record of W15-D12-L6, with a home record of W7-D5-L4. They have kept seven clean sheets at home, though six of those have come against teams ranked 11th or lower. They have failed to score in four home matches and have struggled against teams in the top nine, with a record of W1-D8-L1. In these games, they have managed just two clean sheets but have found the net in eight of ten matches. Their recent home form is poor, with no wins in their last five matches, including a 1-0 loss to 21st-placed Maidenhead in their most recent home fixture. Overall, their home matches average 2.56 goals per game, but games against top-half teams have been lower-scoring, averaging just 2.0 goals per game.
- Best Bet: Barnet draw no bet at 1.75 with 888 Sport
Forest Green Rovers vs Maidenhead
Forest Green remain unbeaten at home this season with a record of W10-D6-L0, conceding just 11 goals in those matches while keeping six clean sheets. They have found the net in 15 of their 16 home games. Over their last 20 matches, they have recorded W9-D10-L1, showing consistency but also a tendency to draw. Sitting nine points behind league leaders Barnet with a game in hand, they can not afford any slip-ups, especially with fourth-placed Gateshead just five points behind. Defensively solid, only Barnet have allowed fewer shots on target at home than Forest Green.
Maidenhead have struggled on the road, with a record of W4-D2-L11. They have averaged 1.06 goals scored per game while conceding 2.06, managing just four clean sheets and failing to score in six away matches. Currently sitting fourth-bottom and in danger of relegation, only two teams have conceded more goals than them this season. High-scoring games have been common, with 11 of their 17 away fixtures going over 2.5 goals. Of their 14 points won away from home, seven have come against teams sitting 20th or lower. Their record against the league’s top sides has been poor, having lost to Barnet and York by a combined score of 9-2. Defensively, only three teams have conceded more shots on target away from home than Maidenhead.
- Best Bet: Forest Green Rovers win and over 1.5 goals at 1.85 with Betway
Gateshead vs AFC Fylde
Gateshead have a strong home record of W10-D2-L4, conceding an average of 1.19 goals per game. All four of their home defeats have come against teams currently ranked 10th or higher. Against sides sitting 11th or below, they have been dominant, recording W8-D1-L0 while scoring 24 goals and conceding just 10. Their home form ranks as the fourth-best in the league. They conceded in both games against bottom side, Ebbsfleet have has already lost to AFC Fylde once this season.
AFC Fylde sit 22nd in the table with a poor away record of W3-D1-L12. They have yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have failed to score in nine away matches. Their struggles against top teams are evident, having already lost to the league’s top three sides without scoring a single goal. However, they have now scored in their last five matches, scoring twice in each of their last two away games.
David Longwell is set to remain as AFC Fylde’s interim head coach for the rest of the season. He initially stepped into the role alongside goalkeeper coach Chris Neal following Kevin Phillips' departure a few weeks ago. After securing a victory at Altrincham on Saturday, the pair have now been entrusted with leading the team through their remaining 14 league matches and we could see a further positive reaction.
- Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 1.8 with Bet365
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