We're over halfway into the season, with various leagues starting to take shape. However, as is the crazy world of non-league, we often see teams make late dashes for the title. In this article, Matthew O'Regan looks at two teams who may take the Isthmian Premier Division crown at big odds.
At the time of writing, Dover currently sits atop the Isthmian Premier Division after a disappointing National League South campaign in which they finished 23 points off safety. Jake Leberl's side are the league's top scorers, with 60 goals in 25 games. The Whites are still unbeaten away from, winning ten and drawing three of their thirteen games.
Leberl has George Nikaj, Luke Baptise and Ruben Soares Jr. to thank for their strong goal-scoring record, with the trio scoring 46 goals between them. Only Hashtag, Cray Valley, and Chatham scored more than this.
Billericay are one point off Dover after four wins on the bounce - including a 0-1 win at the Crabble Stadium over the current leaders. Gary McCann's side were last in the National League South in 2022 and are priced as close second favourites to win the league with Dover.
While these two seem like the obvious candidates for the league, teams in the chasing pack that we look at two who may fancy their chances.
Horsham were one of the pre-season favourites for the title but started the season slowly. Cup runs and the subsequent fixture backlog seemed to have an adverse effect on the Hornets, but Dominic Di Paola's side have started to find momentum, winning five games on the bounce - including an impressive 1-2 win at Dover.
With 24 points in 11 home games, Horsham have the second-best home record in the league, with their 17 points from 12 away only the eighth-best in the league. However, after winning their last three away games - including a 0-6 over Potters Bar, they are improving in this regard.
They currently sit 11 points off the top but with two games in hand. A win over Billericay in the next game would put them seven points off The Blues with two games in hand - something that will see the 33.00 odds on offer significantly shorten. With Dover losing two of their last three and Horsham in good form - the Hornets certainly present value @33.00.
Prediction: Horsham to win the league @33.00
After a shock relegation from the National League South, many people fancied Dartford to bounce straight back up to Step Two. Adrian Pennock's side are only four points off Dover, yet are priced as massive 13.00 shots to win the league.
The Darts are now 15 games unbeaten, winning their last five games. Wins in this sequence include a 0-2 win at Chatham and a 1-3 win at fellow promotion contenders Horsham.
Dartford have taken the same amount of points at home as they have away, so they are not relying on home form like Billericay or away form like Dover. Adrian Pennock's side are the ones to beat in the league, are four points off the top, yet are a bewildering 13.00 to win the league.
Prediction: Dartford to win the league @13.00
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