As the National League kicks off its new season this weekend, the opening round of fixtures brings some exciting matchups that could set the tone for the months ahead. With teams looking to get off to a strong start, there are plenty of betting opportunities to explore. In this article, we will focus on three key games: Gateshead vs Southend United, Barnet vs Boreham Wood, and Aldershot Town vs Dagenham & Redbridge.
Each match offers a unique blend of attacking potential and defensive frailties, making them intriguing for betting markets. Let’s break down the key trends and betting angles ahead of this weekend’s action.
Gateshead vs Southend
Gateshead host Southend United in a National League clash at the International Stadium. Gateshead’s 2024/25 season ended poorly, picking up just nine points from their last 14 matches. They ended the season with a record of W5-D5-L10 and conceded 33 goals in 20 matches, averaging 1.65 goals per game. Key departures like Regan Booty and Greg Olley have weakened their squad, and their defensive vulnerabilities will be a concern in this fixture. At home, Gateshead secured 11 wins from 23 matches but conceded 31 goals, indicating they remain susceptible to attack.
Southend, however, have retained the core of their squad and strengthened with key signings like Slavi Spasov and Charley Kendall, adding depth to their attack. Defensively, Ben Goodliffe and Harry Taylor provide a solid partnership, and Southend will be looking to exploit Gateshead’s defensive weaknesses. Their continuity and recent positive momentum after a heart breaking playoff exit have them well-positioned for a strong season.
Southend’s -0.25 Asian Handicap presents value for several reasons. Gateshead’s defensive frailties, combined with their dip in form at the end of last season, make them vulnerable. Southend, with their settled squad and added strength, have a clear edge. Their attacking depth and improved defence make them favourites to win, even on the road.
With Gateshead’s struggles and Southend’s stronger, more cohesive squad, this bet looks appealing for an away win.
Best Bet: Southend -0.25AH at 1.90 with Bet365
Boreham Wood vs Rochdale
Boreham Wood host Rochdale at Meadow Park in what promises to be a competitive National League clash. For bettors, the -0.25 Asian Handicap on Rochdale presents a strong value, especially given the strengths and weaknesses of both teams heading into the match.
Boreham Wood made a successful return to the National League last season, winning the play offs to earn promotion. While they showed resilience, their return to the higher division has been marked by inconsistency. Their home form remains solid, with 15 wins from 23 matches last season. Their strong defence, which conceded just 15 goals at home, has been one of their key strengths. However, with an aging squad especially in defence, the team may struggle to maintain the required intensity and depth at this level. Their attack, led by Matt Rush, who netted 16 goals in the second half of last season, has potential, but they may not have enough firepower to consistently dominate at this level. Additionally, their midfield, with Aaron Henry and Liam Humbles, will need to hold up against more dynamic and younger teams.
Rochdale, on the other hand, finished fourth last season, showing clear improvement under James McNulty. Their attacking options are stronger, with Devante Rodney, who scored 17 goals last season, and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who has 39 goals in the last two seasons, forming a potent partnership. The additions of Bryce Hossanah and David Tutonda bring pace and depth to their wings. While their away form was inconsistent last season, their attacking power, combined with solid defensive options, makes them a formidable team, particularly against Boreham Wood, who may struggle to contain their attacking threats.
The -0.25 Asian Handicap on Rochdale offers great value in this matchup. While Boreham Wood are strong at home, their squad depth is limited, and their aging players could struggle against a team like Rochdale, which has improved significantly in terms of quality and depth. Rochdale’s superior attacking options and solid defence should give them the edge in this fixture. The bet also offers coverage in case of a draw, making it an appealing option for punters.
Given Rochdale’s stronger attacking depth and improved consistency, they are likely to come out on top in this match, either by a one-goal margin or through a draw. The -0.25 AH is a solid bet, as Rochdale’s offensive firepower and defensive resilience should help them secure at least a draw, if not a narrow win.
Best Bet: Rochdale -0.25AH at 21/20 with Bet365
York City vs Sutton
York City had a dominant home record in the 2024/25 National League season, finishing with the second-best home record in the league. Their impressive W16-D4-L3 at home highlighted their superiority on home turf. They scored 57 goals at home, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per match, which makes Over 1.5 goals a highly plausible outcome. Key players like Lenell John-Lewis, who bagged 14 goals, Mitch Hancox, a creative force in midfield, and Joe Tait, who anchored the defence, were integral to their success. York's strong defence, conceding under one goal per game at home, coupled with their attacking prowess, makes them a formidable opponent, particularly in their own stadium. The addition of Liam Kitching and Ash Palmer in defence this season, both with promotion-winning experience, only further strengthens their backline. While they score multiple goals regularly, they also keep clean sheets in nearly half of their home fixtures, which reinforces their reliability in matches like this.
Sutton United's away form last season was balanced, but they had a negative goal difference and were often involved in high-scoring games. Their record of W8-D7-L8 away from home illustrates an inconsistent record. They conceded 34 goals in 23 matches, averaging 1.48 goals conceded per match. Sutton's defence, with key players like Ben Goodliffe and Joe Kizzi, struggled to keep clean sheets, leaving them vulnerable on the road. Their tendency to be involved in open, end-to-end games played into the hands of more attacking sides. This season, Sutton have added Harry Phipps from Dagenham & Redbridge, Will Tizzard from Queens Park, and Edon Pruti from Slough to reinforce their defence, but their vulnerability may still be an issue. Josh Umerah's addition up front after a solid spell at Hartlepool gives them a physical presence.
The combination of York City's solid home record and attacking strength, along with Sutton’s defensive vulnerabilities, makes York City to win and Over 1.5 goals a great betting angle. York's offensive capabilities, including the attacking depth of Alex Newby (who joined from Altrincham after a 14-goal season) and Ollie Pearce, last season's Golden Boot winner, combined with Sutton's high both teams to score rate and tendency to concede goals, suggest that York should be able to secure a victory while also contributing to Over 1.5 goals.
York City are well-positioned to secure three points in this match, and their attacking strength makes Over 1.5 goals highly likely. The combination of York City to win and Over 1.5 goals offers excellent value, with both teams’ recent form and stats backing this angle.
Best Bet: York City win & over 1.5 goals at 4/5 with Betway
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