It’s all getting very close at the top of the National League South table, with four teams in contention for first place once the dust has settled on Saturday’s games.
Read on for your weekend preview and match odds courtesy of Betfred.
Leaders Dartford currently have a three point lead at the top, despite not winning in five games. A succession of challengers in recent weeks have failed to take advantage of the Darts’ poor form by tripping up themselves.
A trip to a much-improved Hemel Hempstead side is next for Steve King’s side.
Promotion rivals Dulwich Hamlet and St Albans City met in midweek, with Hamlet picking up an impressive 4-3 win. The result lifted Gavin Rose’s side ahead of St Albans to second and ended their opponents’ six game winning streak.
Ebbsfleet United have won five on the bounce, and will look to make it six at home against Welling United.
The hosts have found their feet in recent weeks, picking up 11 points in their last five games. Before this they’d only scored four points in eight games. This run has moved The Tudors eight points clear of the single relegation place.
Dartford have drawn three of their five winless games, but also failed to score in four of these matches. While they are proving hard to beat, they are suddenly desperately short of goals. 25 goals for the season still ranks among the best in the league, but precious few have come in recent weeks.
Hemel themselves are only averaging just over a goal a match for the season, so it’s unlikely to be a goalfest.
A goalless draw wouldn’t be the worst result for either side and looks like a good punt at 12/1 with Betfred.
Match odds: Hemel Hempstead Town 9/2, Draw 3/1, Dartford 9/20
Two of the division’s form sides will clash at Marsh Lane, with the teams combined unbeaten run stretching to 12 games.
Dulwich have emerged as the closest contenders to Dartford currently thanks to their midweek win at St Albans.
They’ve hit eleven goals in their past three, and only Eastbourne Borough have scored more this season.
David Oldfield’s City will prove a tough test for Hamlet, with their seven game unbeaten run now stretching back to September.
Oxford are also not shy in front of goal, averaging over two goals a game so far.
The Hoops hold the most recent bragging rights, having won this fixture 1-0 in last season’s abandoned campaign.
This looks like it should be a closely contested game, with lots of goals. A 3-2 away win is available at 20/1.
Match odds: Oxford City 10/11, Draw 12/5, Dulwich Hamlet 12/5
Both these teams are in dire need of a win as they continue to drop down the league table following poor runs of form.
The home side have lost four on the bounce, and failed to score in any of these games. Their only win in recent times was a 1-0 victory over now bottom club thanks to Ricky Modeste’s first half goal.
Chelmsford have gone even longer without a win, losing five and drawing two of their last seven games.
However, City are performing better away so far this season, picking up both of their victories and 70% of their points on the road.
While they’ve lost three on the bounce, they have scored in each of these games.
It’s unlikely to be a thriller, but Chelmsford may just edge this game for player-manager Robbie Simpson. Add both teams not to score to your Saturday acca at 11/8 on Betfred.
Match odds: Tonbridge Angels 11/8, Draw 23/10, Chelmsford City 6/4
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