Into the fourth game week of the Non-League Scene and things are starting to take shape. We have a 9.66 odds acca (prices correct as of 00:00 18.08.23 with Bet365). Read the non-league predictions acca below.
Worthing v Aveley
Worthing wins seem to be a familiar theme in these articles for me, but the prices are always too good to turn down. Adam Hinshelwood's side hosts Aveley at Woodside Road, hoping to make it four straight wins.
The Rebels opened the season with a 1-0 home win over Tonbridge Angels. This was followed up by a 3-0 victory at title favourites Torquay before dismantling Slough 4-1 away from home.
Worthing have certainly shown their title credentials and have improved on their defence that held them back at times last year. They are also looking potent going forward, with the returning (on loan) Ricky Aguiar scoring three goals in the last two, along with new signings Joan Luque and Nicky Wheeler.
They host an Aveley side that is on the back of back-to-back promotions. The Millers started their National League South campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Chippenham, followed by impressive wins against Taunton (4-1) and Eastbourne Borough (2-0). Siju Odelusi has been a standout, scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 hammering of Taunton.
While Aveley sits in fourth place after a very positive start, Worthing should have too much for the sixth-tier newbies.
Selection: Worthing win- 1.83
Rushall Olympic vs Scunthorpe
Credit: Scunthorpe United
Another popular selection for my accas is Scunthrope. The Iron travel to Rushall Olympic in an attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the National League North season.
Jimmy Dean’s side sits at the top of the league after two wins and a draw in their opening three games. A 2-1 opening-day victory at Tamworth was followed up by a shock 1-1 draw at home to Peterborough Sports before hammering Darlington 4-0 midweek.
Danny Whitehall is a standout signing at this level, joining Scunthorpe in the summer after hitting double digits for goals in the league above for Eastleigh in back-to-back seasons. He’s started this season on fire, scoring three goals thus far.
Rushall Olympic have had a tough start to life in the National League North. The Pics snuck into the playoffs last year and won promotion against all odds, despite coming 16 points off of 2nd-place Coalville.
Liam McDonald’s side are yet to win this season, losing 2-0 to Farsley, drawing 1-1 at Curzon, and losing 1-0 at Hereford. This early-season form sums up Rushall’s end to last season, losing five of the last seven before scraping through both playoff games on penalties.
There is a serious gulf in class here on display, so don’t be surprised to see Scunthorpe’s odds continue to tumble.
Selection: Scunthorpe win- 1.80
Aldershot vs York
The third selection comes from the National League in a potential classic between Aldershot and York.
Aldershot have had an eventful start to the season. They started the season with a 5-1 battering of new-boys Oxford City before losing 5-1 at Oldham and 2-0 at Ebbsfleet. Tommy Widdrington has overseen a squad overhaul, thus leading to more chaotic games. One of the standout signings is Lorant Tolaj from Brighton, who scored two goals on his debut.
The Shots ended last season with six unbeaten games on the bounce, so Widdrington will be hoping his side can recapture this form sooner rather than later. Aldershot games were equally as chaotic, with their matches seeing over three goals per game on average. Their xG after two games placed them at the top, while they also conceded the fourth highest xG.
York enjoyed a summer shopping spree after a rollercoaster first season back in the National League. Michael Morton’s side were one of the pre-season favourites for promotion due to their big spending, but they have yet to win a game. Back-to-back losses (2-1 and 0-1) to Wealdstone and Kidderminster were followed by a 2-2 draw against Altrincham.
A rare shining light in the opening three games has been Dipo Akinyemi. Signed for big money off the back of winning Scottish Championship player of the year, the 26-year-old has settled in perfectly in Yorkshire.
With both teams possessing a clinical striker but leaky defences, I expect a relentless end-to-end game in Hampshire.
Selection- Over 2.5 goals- 1.850
Gateshead vs Ebbsfleet
The final game under the microscope is potentially a corker, as Gateshead hosts Ebbsfleet.
Gateshead were my dark horse picks preseason and have started this campaign well. An opening day 2-2 draw with Boreham Wood was followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat at local rivals Hartlepool, before they comfortably beat Dagenham and Redbridge 4-2 away from home.
Mike Williamson’s side will look to build on last season's post-Christmas form, which saw them top the league for xG. They possess an arsenal of goal scorers, in particular Marcus Dinanga, who has three in three, adding to last season's tally of 12.
Ebbsfleet blew the competition away in the National League South last season, finishing top with 102 points and scoring 110 goals. Dennis Kutrieb has instilled an entertaining, high-pressure style of football at the Fleet, with games involving his side seeing 3.4 goals per game. They currently sit in sixth place.
An opening-day 1-0 victory over recently relegated Rochdale gave them confidence to attack against Solihull Moors, but they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. However, a comfortable 2-0 victory over Aldershot sees the Kent outfit with their tails up. Domininc Poleon is imperative to Ebbsfleet’s attacking, scoring 36 goals last season in a fantastic campaign.
Over 2.5 goals has landed in all three Gateshead games thus far, and I am confident they will land again on Saturday against a potent Ebbsfleet.
Selection- Over 2.5 goals- 1.66
