NON-LEAGUE expert Paul Maddison (@LouthBigDog) shares his favourite fancy from Saturday's televised tussle in the National League.
Salford v Maidenhead | Saturday 13th April 2019, 12:35 | BT Sport
It's looking like it's going to be a cracking end to the season at the top of the table in the National League. Salford's recent form has put them in contention for the title as they sit just two points behind league leaders Leyton Orient with four games to play.
The Ammies ran out comfortable 2-0 winners last time out at Maidstone, a game that saw Adam Rooney get back on the scoresheet after being out for a while through injury. That victory made it eight games unbeaten for the Manchester-based club, a run that has seen them drop just two points. Impressively, in that spell they conceded just once via a penalty.
It's not been a particularly easy run of fixtures for Graham Alexander's men either, the majority of their recent games have come against teams in the top-half of the table.
The other end of the National League isn't quite as exciting with Maidstone and Braintree already relegated, and Aldershot and Havant & Waterlooville looking set to join them shortly. Maidenhead are 11 points clear of relegation in 17th, and although a repeat of last season’s 12th is unlikely, I'm sure the Magpies will be happy with their season.
Alan Devonshire's side have been a bit hit-and-miss in recent weeks, with W3-D1-L4 in their last eight. On the road, the side from Berkshire have lost four of their last six, but again the fixture list hasn't been kind to them with five of those encounters coming against sides battling for promotion.
The betting angles
Obviously, the bookies have the home side as strong favourites here, but I've found a few ways to get with them at decent looking prices. The 7/5 with BetVictor on a Salford win ‘to nil’ looks a strong bet. The bet would have paid out in six of Salford's last eight matches. Eight of Maidenhead's last 10 defeats away from home has seen them fail to score also.
I'm also backing the Ammies to win 2-0 in the Correct Score market. They have won by the same scoreline in four of the last five home victories. The 2-0 win is available at 61/10 with Marathon.
The 3/1 at Bet365 on Adam Rooney to score first has also tempted me. The Irishman is back nd will be looking to add to his 20-goal tally. The former Aberdeen man has started the last two games after coming back from injury and netted two first half goals last time out.
I've gone First Goalscorer rather than Anytime for a couple of reasons; Salford have lots of attacking players to choose from so there is a chance Rooney may not start, at least with First Goalscorer bets you get your stake refunded if your player isn't playing. Secondly, I expect it to be a fairly tight, low-scoring game. If I was expecting lots of goals I'd prefer to go anytime.
Best Bets
Salford v Maidenhead – Salford to win ‘to nil’ (7/5 BetVictor)
Salford v Maidenhead – Salford to win 2-0 (61/10 Marathon)
Salford v Maidenhead – Adam Rooney to score first (3/1 Bet365)
