NON-LEAGUE expert Paul Maddison (@LouthBigDog) shares his favourite fancies from Tuesday night's televised National League contest between Harrogate and Salford.
Harrogate v Salford | Wednesday 27th March 2019, 19:45 | BT Sport
BT Sport are back at Wetherby Road for the second time this season, for what should be a good game between two teams aiming for promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.
The first time the cameras were here, the host ran out comfortable 3-1 winners against Hartlepool, but I think Harrogate could be in for a tougher test here as they take on an in-form Salford side who will be looking to push Leyton Orient all the way for the title.
Harrogate are having a very impressive first season in the National League; last year’s National League North runners-up (behind opponents Salford), are in sixth, six points off league leaders Orient, and five clear of Gateshead in eighth.
The Yorkshire-based club have scored 71 times so far this term – seven more than any other club, with Salford next best on 64. At home though, their form has been a bit hit-and-miss in recent weeks, having W3-D1-L4 of their last eight.
Salford head into this tie in fourth, three points behind Leyton Orient (at the time of writing, Orient play Fylde on Tuesday night) and have turned their form around brilliantly since the beginning of March. It's five games since Graham Alexander's men have conceded a goal – in that time the Ammies have W4-D1-L0, with three wins coming against sides in the top-half.
This is a massive fixture for both clubs; a win for either would put them in good stead for the rest of the season. The hosts started badly at the weekend, going 2-0 down to Barrow inside 22 minutes, so I'm sure Simon Weaver will have his men ready from the start here. It could lead to a very tight game.
At the prices though, I'm looking to get with the away side. You can get 5/4 with Paddy Power on Salford Draw No Bet which looks a good price. The Manchester-based club look solid defensively and have real strength in depth going forward. On Saturday, against Barnet, they had Adam Rooney, Danny Whitehead, Rory Gaffney and Danny LLoyd on the bench.
As I think it's going to be a tight game, I like the look of Under 2.5 Goals at 11/10 with Marathon as well. Five of the home sides last seven have finished with two or fewer goals, with four ending 1-0 either way. Salford have been involved in just eight goals in their previous six encounters, none of which have involved three or more goals.
Best Bets
Harrogate v Salford – Salford draw no bet (5/4 Paddy Power)
Harrogate v Salford – Under 2.5 Goals (11/10 Marathon)
