NON-LEAGUE expert Paul Maddison (@LouthBigDog) shares his favourite fancies from Saturday night's National League coupon.
Aldershot v Salford | Saturday 16th March 2019, 15:00
Aldershot's poor form continued in midweek with a 2-1 loss at home to Leyton Orient. That result means the Shots have won just once in their last 22 games; they sit in 22nd, eight points from safety with just nine games left to play.
Gary Waddock's men have been struggling in front of goal – they have failed to score in seven of their last 10 games at the Recreation Ground, which doesn't bode well as they take on a Salford side who have kept clean sheets in each of their last three.
Salford's chances of automatic promotion look slim at the moment as they reside seven points behind the league leaders. The Ammies will keep on battling until the end though, especially with second or third-place enjoying a massive advantage in the play-offs.
After a poor run in February, Graham Alexander's visitors have started March in great form with three wins ‘to nil’ against decent sides. I'm backing the Manchester-based side to carry on their recent form at a nice looking 47/50 with Marathon.
Dover v Halifax | Saturday 16th March 2019, 15:00
Dover sit just one place and two points above the relegation places and they could be in for a tough afternoon against a very solid Halifax side.
The Whites have won just twice in their last 10 matches – one was against bottom side Braintree and the other was a surprise win against Salford.
Opponents Halifax are great defensively and concede very few goals – the Shaymen have conceded just three times in their previous 10 matches.
The Yorkshire outfit’s main problem this season is converting draws into wins – 11 of their last 20 games in all competitions have ended all-square. The guests have lost just four times in those 20 encounters though, one of which was against League One side Wimbledon.
I'm keen to have the Halifax onside here but due to the amount of draws I am taking them +0.50 on the Asian Handicap at 15/16 with BetVictor.
Wrexham v Maidstone | Saturday 16th March 2019, 15:00
Wrexham cost me in midweek as they conceded three goals to Barrow. That was just the second time this season the Welsh side have conceded more than twice in a game.
Shaun Pearson missed that game with a back strain and was a huge loss – for me the Dragons captain is the best centre-back in the division and a great leader on the pitch. Bryan Hughes is hopeful that Pearson will be fit for the visit of Maidstone.
Scoring goals is still an issue for the Welsh side having netted in just five of their last seven at the Racecourse Ground.
Maidstone sit second from bottom in the league and it looks like their season is virtually over being 11 points from safety. The Stones have scored just 30 goals in their 37 league ties so far, only Aldershot have scored fewer.
Away from home, John Still's men have netted twice in their last six and failed to score in four of those games. Again I'm backing Under 2.5 Goals as usual when Wrexham are involved, Marathon are best priced at 19/25 at the moment and that looks a decent price.
Best Bets
Aldershot v Salford – Salford to win (47/50 Marathon)
Dover v Halifax – Halifax +0.50 Asian Handicap (15/16 BetVictor)
Wrexham v Maidstone – Under 2.5 Goals (19/25 Marathon)
