Non League Best Bets - Tuesday 22nd January 2024

We have been blessed with a full National League South midweek slate, so with that in mind, here are my four best bets from the sixth tier of England.

Worthing vs Slough

First, an entertaining affair on the South Coast as Worthing host Slough.

The Rebels currently sit in second place and will be hoping to make the playoffs for the second successive season. With 58 goals scored, they are the league top scorers. However, their defensive record (41 conceded) is the worst in the top eight, so this has prevented them from challenging runaway leaders Yeovil closer.

However, with their games averaging 3.53 goals per game, entertainment is not hard to come by when watching Adam Hinshelwood's entertaining side. With 21 goals scored, Ollie Pearce is the divisions top scorer and is pivotal to Worthing's success.

Games at Woodside Road have seen an abundance of goals (3.785 PG), with over 2.5 goals landing in 1o/14.

Slough are sat in 11th, three points off the playoffs. Like the hosts,  Scott Davies side have also been been entertaining, with The Rebels games seeing an average of 3.44 goals per game. This average increases away from home, with these games averaging 3.75 goals.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in a league high 11/12 (92%) of away games for Slough and in their last five. It has also landed in eight of Worthing's last ten league games and their last nine home games.

Worthing will be hoping to replicate their early season 4-1 battering of their 'Rebels' counterparts.

Selection: Over 2.5 3.0 goal line - 1.875

Weston Super Mare vs Bath City

Next up is a Somerset derby between 15th Place Weston-Super-Mare and 8th place Bath.

Despite seven places separating the sides, Scott Bartletts' Seagulls are only six points off their visitors with a game in hand. Weston-Super-Mare games have averaged 3.46 goals per game, with this average slightly higher at home (3.615). Over 2.5 goals has landed in their last ten in all competitions, with the Seagulls scoring 2+ in nine of these. In these ten games, WSM have averaged 2.5 goals scored and 2 goals conceded per game.

Bath games have been a little tamer, but still average 2.92 goals per game. Away from Twerton Park, the Romans have looked strong, boasting the fourth best record when on their travels. While Jerry Gill's side are on a small wobble, their goalscoring record is still strong, with only Slough and the top two Worthing and Yeovil outscoring Bath in the league. In Scott Wilson, Cody Cooke and Jordan Thomas, the Romans have three players already on double digits for goals.

The reverse fixture saw a 6-2 win for the Seagulls, so this game has a history of goals.

Selection: Over 3.0 goal line - 2.00 

St Albans vs Havant and Waterlooville

9th place St Albans host relegation threaten Havant and Waterlooville at Clarence Park.

David Noble's side have scored as many as they have conceded (43), with their games seeing an average of 3.18 goals per game. 19 of their 27 league games (70%) have seen over 2.5 goals, including their last nine. Of these nine games, eight of these saw BTTS too, except the 3-0 win at Dartford.

The visitors are Havant and Waterlooville who boast the worst away record in the league and the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 58 goals. The Hawks have also been strong in front of goal, with their games averaging 3.32 goals per game. St Albans will fancy their chances of complying more misery on a dismal Havant side.

The reverse fixture ending in dramatic fashion, with a 88th minute Giorgio Rasulo goal securing a 2-1 win for St Albans

Selection (s) : Over 3.0 goals - 2.00 

St Albans 2+ goals - 1.80

Chippenham vs Torquay

The final game sees 17th place Chippenham Town host a Torquay side who have been below par in their National League South return.

Chippenham home games have seen a plethora of goals, with an average of 3.35. Over 2.5 goals has landed in 10/14 (71%) of these.

Torquay were pre-season title favourites, but Gary Johnson's side are in serious danger of not qualifying for the playoffs after a recent slump has seen them just three points clear of the chasing pack. With 44 goals scored and 38 conceded, the Gulls games are averaging 3.15 goals per game. 8/11 (73%) of their away games have seen over 2.5 goals.

The meeting at Plainmoor in August saw Torquay run out 2-1 winners thanks to an Aaron Jarvis stoppage time winner.

Selection: Over 3.0 goals - 1.950

On top of these bets, a both teams to score and over 2.5 goals acca @ 12.83 is worth loose pennies, given it landed in the last round of fixtures between these sides.