Matthew O'Regan is back with his non-league best bets, focusing on the National League, National League South and Isthmian Premier League.
After finishing fourth in the league last season, Altrincham have had a mixed start to the season as they currently sit 11th. Phil Parkinson’s side have won five, lost five and drawn three of their thirteen games and are three points off the playoffs.
As was the case last season, Altrincham have been strong at home this season, with only champions Chesterfield and runners-up Barnet boasting a better home record last year. This year, the Robins have picked up 11 points at the J. Davidson Stadium, losing just once.
Gateshead have had a strong start to the National League and currently sit fourth in the league. After missing out on the playoffs last year due to ground regulations, the Head are determined to go one better this year.
However, their strong start to the season has yet again meant that their manager has been poached during the season, with Rob Elliot departing for League One Crawley.
This move has threatened to derail Gateshead’s season a little bit, with a league loss away to Tamworth and in the FA Cup to Step Four Hednesford a cause for concern.
Saturday sees Carl Magnay manage his first game in charge of the Head. The 35-year-olds first task will be tightening up a defence that has conceded 17 goals and kept just one clean sheet away from home.
Prediction: Altrincham Double Chance and over 0.5 Altrincham Goals @1.80 - Bet365
Forest Green have lost just twice this season, with these coming away at Oldham and table toppers Barnet in close encounters. Rovers suffered back-to-back relegations and just fell short of survival last year despite a late-season revival under Steve Cotterill.
An ambitious summer has put his side in good stead, with owner Dale Vince backing the 60-year-old with a string of impressive coups from the EFL. At the New Lawn, Forest Green have been imperious, winning all but one game.
Braintree shocked many when they won the National League South playoffs, beating Bath (H), Chelmsford (A) and Worthing (A) all after extra time en route to promotion.
Angelo Harrop’s side, as expected, have found the transition to fifth-division football tough but sit outside the relegation zone by one point.
If the Iron are to survive, it will be their home form to thank as they have picked up 11 of their 13 points at Cressing Road. On their travels, Braintree have struggled, picking up just two points in six games.
With the quality Forest Green have on display, they should be too much for Braintree to handle.
Prediction: Forest Green -1 Asian Handicap @2.00 - Bet365
Dorking and Salisbury were two leagues apart last year but now face each other in a potentially exciting tie at Meadowbank in the National League South.
Back-to-back home wins against Hornchurch and Hemel Hempstead have restored clarity after a tough, injury-riddled start to the season, and they now sit ninth in the league.
Dorking games are averaging just over three goals a game, with ‘Both Teams To Score’ landing in 9/11 games.
Marc White’s side boasts the second-best home record in the league, with three of their wins seeing the opposition score. White is a firm believer that ‘attack is the best form of defence’, so you will rarely see Dorking sit on a one or two-goal lead.
Salisbury have struggled on the road after their promotion from the Southern Premier League South, picking up just four points on their travels.
However, Brian Dutton’s side will take confidence from their last three games, scoring nine league goals. The Whites’ games have been full of entertainment, averaging 3.18 goals. Eight of their 11 games have seen BTTS.
Salisbury will fancy scoring at Dorking. They’ve scored seven games on the trot, while Dorking have kept just one clean sheet all season.
Prediction: Dorking to win & Both Teams To Score @3.00 - Bet365
16th-place Canvey Island host 13th place Folkestone in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Canvey Island sit just two points clear of the relegation zone, with their defence a cause for concern. Brad Wellman’s side have the second-worst defensive record in the league, conceding 19 goals.
All four of their home games have seen over 2.5 goals, with these games averaging 5.25 goals.
Folkestone sit three positions and two points ahead of Saturday’s hosts as they target a charge up the leagues. Andy Drury’s side are averaging 4.25 goals per game away from home, with over 2.5 landing in all four.
Prediction: Over 3.0 Asian Goal Line
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