NON-LEAGUE expert Paul Maddison (@LouthBigDog) shares his favourite fancies from Tuesday night's National League coupon.
Aldershot v Leyton Orient | Tuesday 12th March 2019, 19:45
Leyton Orient returned to the top of the table at the weekend after a hard fought 1-0 victory against Wrexham. They are now one point clear with a game in-hand and will be looking to at least maintain that gap as they take on relegation-threatened Aldershot.
With the win at the weekend, the O's made it four victories on the bounce and will be hoping to continue that form as we get to the business end of the season.
Justin Edinburgh's men have been particularly impressive on the road – no team has conceded fewer goals – helped massively by their ability to keep a fairly settled defence and the always impressive Dean Brill between the sticks. They are also the division’s second-highest scorers away with only Harrogate finding the back of the net more often.
Hosts Aldershot sit in 22nd place and are really struggling for form. The Shots have picked up just six points in their previous 10 encounters, scoring just five times in the process. Gary Waddock's men have won just once in their last 20 games in all competitions and that came against the league’s bottom club Braintree.
I'd be surprised if this was anything other than a convincing away win so I'm more than happy to take the 5/6 available with Ladbrokes on Orient taking all three points back to London.
Eastleigh v Maidstone | Tuesday 12th March 2019, 19:45
Eastleigh are the form team in the league at the moment and look likely to break into the top seven and claim a play-off spot come the end of the season. Their away form has been much stronger than their home record, but they have won four of their last five at the Silverlake Stadium.
Key to the Spitfires good run has been star striker Paul McCallum – the former Leyton Orient man is enjoying his best season to date, netting an impressive 22 goals already. His recent form has been even more spectacular – in his last 15 starts, the Eastleigh front man has scored 15 times. He’s likely to be on penalties too having scored Eastleigh's only spot kick thus far this term.
McCallum should get plenty of chances in this game. Opponents Maidstone have the third-worst record for goals conceded and more recently have leaked 21 times in their last 10 matches.
McCallum has been priced up at a general 10/11 (Bet365) to score Anytime and that's where my money is going.
Wrexham v Barrow | Tuesday 12th March 2019, 19:45
I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record here, but when Wrexham are playing, I'm getting against goals.
A change in management hasn't had much impact offensively for the Dragons as they still continue to struggle in front of goal; the one thing that remains though is their very impressive defensive record, especially at the Racecourse Ground where they have conceded just eight goals in 18 league games.
The Wrexham fans haven't exactly been spoilt with free-flowing attacking football in recent weeks with just six goals being scored in their last six home ties. In fact, in their last 16 home encounters they have witnessed three or more goals on just three occasions.
I'm sure the Welsh club’s fans couldn't care less though if the season ends with promotion back to the Football League.
Barrow's last game away saw them on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline against Barnet, yet the Bluebirds’ eight previous road trips produced only nine goals in total, all of which featured Under 2.5 Goals.
I'm not usually one for head-to-head records, especially at this level as squad turnover is so high, but the previous meeting between these two sides this season was a goalless draw.
Obviously, I am opposing goals here and although the price has shortened up a bit I am more than happy to take the 39/50 with Marathon on Under 2.5 Goals.
Best Bets
Aldershot v Leyton Orient – Leyton Orient to win (5/6 Ladbrokes)
Eastleigh v Maidstone – Paul McCallum to score at anytime (Bet365)
Wrexham v Barrow – Under 2.5 Goals (39/50 Marathon)
