National League North sides return to action this weekend, with Blyth Spartans desperate for points in a battle at the bottom, whilst Curzon Ashton can continue their upwards charge.
By Amos Murphy
Given their current league positions, neither Blyth Spartans or Guiseley can ill-afford any more slip ups, with the two relegation threatened sides going head to head this weekend.
Blyth currently foot the table, whilst Guiseley are level on points with Saturday’s opponents, yet sit outside the drop zone on goal difference.
The hosts have recorded nine consecutive defeats across all competitions, whilst their last victory in the league came back in late August.
Whilst not in as drastic a poor run of form than bottom-placed Blyth, Guiseley have picked up just one win in their previous six matches.
Guiseley will be keen to replicate the result when the pair met in the FA Cup at the beginning of August, where the Lions were slender 1-0 winners and they’re 11/10 to pick up another victory with Betfred.
By contrast, you have to go back to April 2019 for the last time Blyth beat Guiseley, with the Spartans priced at 2/1 to end a run of three consecutive defeats to the West Yorkshire club.
Two of the division’s form sides will battle it out for three points at St. James Park, when Curzon Ashton travel to face Brackley Town.
No side in the National League North boast a better record in the previous five matches than Brackley, who have only lost one game all season.
Currently level on points with leaders AFC Fylde, Brackley will have the opportunity to go top when they play their game in hand, yet the Saints will be hoping to see off a fellow in-form team this weekend.
Curzon have started life under Adam Lakeland exactly where they left off under Steven Cunningham, with the former Farsley Celtic boss unbeaten so far.
Testament to how far the Greater Manchester side have come could found at full-time against York City last weekend, where Curzon were disappointed with their 0-0 stalemate.
Playoffs remain the target for Curzon, who are 7/2 to sneak a victory here, whilst second-place Brackley come in at 8/13 for the three points.
Seventh meets third this weekend when Boston United host promotion-hopefuls Chorley, with both teams looking to consolidate their playoff places.
Boston have impressed this season and before their most recent back-to-back league defeats, the Pilgrims had won five of their previous six National League matches.
However, currently hanging on to the final playoff spot in seventh, United will be wary of the sides below them, yet their hopes of three points this weekend look slim.
Former National League side Chorley are the visitors to the Jakemans Community Stadium this weekend, with the Magpies targeting a return to the fifth tier.
Last weekend’s win over Kettering cut the gap at the top to five points, with Jamie Vermiglio’s side hoping to maintain their strong form.
A Chorley victory is priced at 21/10, whilst a shock three points for the hosts comes in at 11/10.
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