NON-LEAGUE expert Paul Maddison (@LouthBigDog) shares his favourite fancies from Saturday afternoon's coupon.
I've had to have a re-think about two bets I was keen to put up at the start of the week. Wrexham looked a great price to beat Aldershot, a side that are struggling badly with injuries and form, but they've been backed in from 5/4 to 4/5 already and will probably go off shorter. The other team I fancied were Solihull at home to Barrow. The Moors had an FA Cup replay in midweek against Blackpool and the tie went to extra time, so that has put me off that bet too.
There is still a couple of bets that I really like the look of though, one at quite a nice price.
Maidstone vs Gateshead | Saturday 22nd December 3:00pm
Maidstone are starting to look like they could be in a trouble as they sit 2nd from bottom and four points from safety and they have started leaking quite a few goals at the back recently. The Stones were also in action on Tuesday night where they needed extra time to see off lower league opponents, Woking.
Opponents Gateshead are will be hoping for a strong second half to the season as they look to cement their place in the play offs spots. They too had a game midweek, the game was originally meant to be played the Saturday before so at least the Heed should be a bit fresher after a free weekend.
The bet a like the look of here is in the Anytime Scorer market. Luke Armstrong is Gateshead's leading scorer so far this season on eight goals despite missing nine games through injury. The loanee from Middlesborough started the season in great form with five goals in his opening six matches, one of which was from the spot so hopefully Armstrong will be on penalty duty here. Since returning from injury he's found the net four times in his last seven encounters and is looking sharp again.
Bet365 go 7/4 on Armstrong to Score Anytime and that looks a good price.
Salford vs Dagenham and Redbridge | Saturday 22nd December 3PM
Since the take over at Dagenham and Redbiridge the club have turned things round remarkably. I put them up at the start of the season to be relegated. That slips been ripped and in the bin already, even after the Daggers disastrous start to the season.
In their last nine matches, Peter Taylor's men have picked up seven wins, a draw and just a single loss a run that has seen them play some tough opposition. They sit top of the ‘five game' form table and have tightened up at the back considerably, conceding just twice in their last five on the road.
Salford sit 2nd in the league, but their form of late hasn't been as good as they would have hoped for. The Ammies have won just half of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
The Manchester based club also had a game in midweek, but they were able to rest quite a few first team players for that game.
I'm keen to get the away team on side here and I really like the look of the 22/23 at Unibet on Dagenham and Redbridge +1.25 on the Asian Handicap. Salford would have to win by two or more for the bet to lose. A Salford win by one goal would see a half stake win.
I just cant ignore the 13/2 with William Hill on just the straight Daggers win. They're the form team in the league at the moment and although it's going to be a massive ask to beat Salford, those odds are just too big.
Best Bets
Armstrong (Gateshead) to score anytime 7/4 (Bet365)
Dagenham & Redbridge +1.25 on Asian Handicap 22/23 (Unibet)
Dagenham & Redbridge to win 13/2 (William Hill)
