Most teams only have seven games remaining in their league campaigns, yet nothing has been decided in terms of promotion, relegation and the title. Will a massive Easter weekend double make things any clearer?
AFC Fylde vs FC Halifax Town @15:00
Fylde have gone two without a league win and will want to recover from Saturday’s loss at Dagenham, especially as they now sit five points off the playoffs with a game in hand on Dover in 7th. The Coasters have a home league record of won nine, drawn eight and lost three, going undefeated in the last three with an aggregate scoreline of 13-5. The hosts had a rare scoreless game last time out, having netted 13 in the previous three league games among a league leading 71 in 39, conceding 51. However, you can’t keep striker Danny Rowe out of the headlines for long, so expect him to build on his league leading 22 strikes this season. Halifax are 16th, seven clear of the relegation zone and are undefeated in six, five of which have come under the stewardship of new boss Jamie Fullarton. Although The Shaymen have only won four away league games this season, they are undefeated in the last four, with one win.
Boreham Wood vs Barrow @15:00
Boreham Wood sit 6th, six points clear of Fylde in 8th. A loss at Aldershot on Saturday ended a run of eight undefeated, picking up five wins in that time. Wood have won 10 home league games, drawing four, losing five and are undefeated in four, with three wins. The hosts will be wanting to banish memories of a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture, but Barrow will be confident, winning two of their last three away league games, pushing their total to six for the season. The Bluebirds sit precariously above the relegation zone, level on points with Solihull in 21st, but with two games in hand. The visitors have won two, lost two and draw two of their last six in the league including a creditable 0-0 draw at home to Dover last Saturday, so don’t rule out a shock.
Bromley vs Wrexham @15:00
Bromley will be buoyed by their FA Trophy exploits, reaching the final with victory last Saturday, but must concentrate fully on the league if they are to make a late run to the playoffs. Sitting 10th, nine points behind Dover in 7th with three games in hand, it is still very much achievable, but The Ravens have lost their last two league games to lowly Hartlepool and Solihull. Bromley will hope that they can rely on home comforts, where they are undefeated in six in all competitions, with four wins. Wrexham will be a sizeable challenge, however, The Dragons one of three teams on 67 points, eight off top spot and eight ahead of Fylde. Wrexham would be better off if it weren’t for 10 draws amongst their record of 15 undefeated. The visitors have a brilliant home record and they aren’t too shabby away with seven wins, seven draws and five losses in the league, but again have drawn five in a run of seven without loss. Difficult to beat, no side has conceded fewer goals in the division, but Bromley’s Josh Rees and Louis Dennis will fancy their chances – both have scored 14 in the division this season.
Chester vs Torquay United @15:00
A real six pointer between two basement dwellers, this tie could indicate the fate of both at the end of the season. Chester are 23rd, nine points from safety with seven games remaining and Barrow in 20th having significantly better goal difference, plus two games in hand. The hosts are six without a league win, picking up only a point, but have four from the last four at home. Only bottom side Guiseley have scored fewer and conceded more in the league this season. Torquay are a place above Chester, level on points having played a game fewer and face their fourth consecutive away fixture, undefeated in the last two with a win and a draw. The Gulls haven’t been in action since 17 March, so should be fresh, but struggle at both ends of the pitch (much like the hosts), scoring 34 and conceding 62 in 38 league games. A repeat of September’s 1-1 draw wouldn’t do many favours to either side.
Dover Athletic vs Tranmere Rovers @15:00
Dover’s loss at Eastleigh on Tuesday ended a run of four undefeated in the league, with three wins. The Whites are holding on to the last playoff place, five points ahead of Fylde, having played a game more. Imperious at home, Dover have won 10, drawn five and lost five in the league, winning the last three without conceding, including a 2-0 win against leaders Macclesfield. This is typical of a defence which has conceded only 35 in 40 league games, with four clean sheets in the last five. With Ryan Bird having scored 14 league goals, it looks good for a repeat of Dover’s 1-0 victory in September. Tranmere are 3rd, eight off top spot and eight ahead of Fylde. Rovers have four wins in their last six league games, but have suffered damaging defeats against Macclesfield and Boreham Wood, dampening hopes of a title win. In contrast to their brilliant home league form, the visitors have won six, drawn eight and lost six on the road, losing the last away game at Boreham Wood, but going undefeated in the previous six, with three wins. Rovers have the best goal difference in the division, scoring 65 and conceding 40 in 39 games, Andy Cook scoring twice last weekend to take his National League tally to 19 for the season, strike partner James Norwood netting 16.
Eastleigh vs Ebbsfleet United @15:00
Mid-table Eastleigh shocked Dover on Tuesday, bring to an end a run of six without a league win, with four losses. It also improved a home record which has only seen six league wins, but equally only four losses and The Spitfires are undefeated in the last three, with two clean sheets. This is surprising for a team which has conceded a massive 62 in 39 league games, but they have kept pace at the other end with 56 goals. Ebbsfleet are 9th, seven points behind Dover in the last playoff place with two games in hand. The Fleet drew their last two to extend their record to six undefeated in the league with four wins. On the road, the visitors have won five, drawn nine and lost five in the division, but are undefeated in the last three, with two victories.
Gateshead vs Dagenham & Redbridge @15:00
Gateshead are 14th, only eight points above the relegation zone, but with two games in hand. They have won two, drawn two and lost two of the last six league games including Tuesday’s late loss at Macclesfield and have lost one, drawn one and won one of the last three home league games, the victory a 7-1 demolishing of Maidenhead. The Daggers are keeping their slim playoff hopes alive, 10 points off Dover with two games in hand. Last weekend’s shock win over Fylde broke a run of two consecutive defeats as the last six league games were split down the middle with three wins, three losses. The visitors have only won four away league games all season, and have lost the last two, but can count a confident 3-0 win at Torquay prior to that.
Guiseley vs Leyton Orient @15:00
Guiseley are bottom, 14 points from safety with nine to play and a massive 30 goal deficit on 20th placed Barrow. The Lions have one win in the last 13, with 10 losses and have the worst goal difference in the division, no team has scored fewer and conceded more. With only three home league wins this season, things look grim, but the hosts are undefeated in their last two at Nethermoor Park. Leyton Orient are 15th, seven above the relegation zone, last weekend’s 3-0 win over Woking their first at Brisbane Road since Boxing Day and ending a run of six without a victory in all competitions. The O’s have picked up back-to-back clean sheets and have only lost one of their last seven away league games, with four wins. James Brophy is on fire down the Orient left and Macauley Bonne found his scoring touch again last weekend, netting two to bring his total to 18 in the league. He scored a hat trick in the reverse fixture, a repeat may be a decent bet.
Maidenhead United vs Sutton United @15:00
Maidenhead are 13th, five without a league win, with three defeats. They are nine points above the relegation zone and have suffered recent home losses to relegation candidates Torquay and Barrow. It all seems so long ago that they were winning 2-0 away to Sutton in September. The visitors are 2nd, three off top spot after Macclesfield moved back above them on Tuesday. They would still be at the summit were it not for a shock loss at Maidstone two weeks ago, their only loss in 12 league games, winning eight of them. Prior to their last away league game at Maidstone, Sutton had won three of the previous four, drawing the other. Macclesfield are the only side to have won more away games in the division this season.
Maidstone United vs Hartlepool United @15:00
Maidstone are six points above the relegation zone, last weekend’s loss at Wrexham ending a resurgence which has seen The Stones go three undefeated in the division with two wins. Despite only winning five league games at The Gallagher Stadium this season, two of those have come in the last three, drawing the other, to give the hosts a late boost as the relegation zone comes too close for comfort. Hartlepool are a point behind the hosts, a shock win at home to Bromley on Tuesday extending a run of four without a league defeat, with two wins on the bounce, games which have helped The Pool keep their heads above water, and the visitors will be hoping for a repeat of their 3-1 win in September.
Solihull Moors vs Aldershot Town @15:00
A draw could see Solihull escape the relegation zone for the first time in a long while, as Moors sit 21st, only below Barrow on goal difference, having played two more. The hosts have only lost one in the last seven and are 10 undefeated at home in the league. A challenge awaits then for Aldershot, who are eight clear of Fylde in 8th. The Shots have only lost once in the last six league games, but have been hampered by three draws, although a 2-0 win at home to Boreham Wood on Saturday will provide a boost. It is, however, three without an away win.
Woking vs Macclesfield Town @15:00
The BT Sport cameras pay a visit to Kingfield with Woking only winning twice in the league since the end of November, both at home. They are 19th, now only four points above the relegation zone, and are three without a home league win, concerning for a side who have relied on good results at base. Only the bottom two have conceded more than The Card’s 63 league goals, what odds a repeat of Woking’s 3-1 September win? Visitors Macclesfield are top by three points, Tuesday’s win at Gateshead getting Macc back on track after two without victory. Away league form reads 11 wins, three draws and five losses, but the visitors haven’t won in their last two, losing at Dover and drawing at Maidstone. Are we due another twist in the title race?
