The National League playoffs kick off with a quarter final clash between Oldham Athletic and FC Halifax. Matthew O'Regan is on hand to preview the game and give his best betting prediction.
Oldham finished the season in fifth, three points and one place above sixth place FC Halifax, securing them crucial home advantage. Tickets are at a premium for the game at Boundary Park, with 11,ooo expected on Wednesday night. The Latics have been in shaky form in the second half of the season, ranking 16th for points accumulated across the final 25 games. Micky Mellon has come under pressure from the Oldham faithful and a defeat on Wednesday night could mark the end of his tenure.
The 53-year-old can take solace in his sides final five home games, winning four of them, scoring two goals in all these victories. This included a 2-0 win over Halifax in March, with Kian Harriet and Mike Fondup-Talum securing the three points for the hosts.
Boundary Park has provided a happy hunting ground for Oldham this season, picking up 39 points from 23 games. Only the four sides who finished above them (Rochdale, Forest Green, York and Barnet) boast a better home record - something Oldham will be banking on to set up a semi-final clash away at York.
Not only is Mike Fondop-Talum his sides top scorer with 17 goals, his work rate and endeavour makes him a fan favourite at Boundary Park. The 31-year-old will be crucial to their chance of progressing.
FC Halifax come into this game as underdogs, finishing three points behind Oldham, as well as losing at Boundary Road twice this season - 4-2 in the FA Cup and 2-0 in the league. Like their hosts, The Shaymen also stumbled over the finish line owing to a poor run of results. Only Gateshead, Eastleigh and AFC Fylde accumulated fewer points than Halifax over the last ten matches, whose home form continued to plague them.
Away from home, only York and Barnet took more points than Halifax's 38 - six more than they got at home. Chris Millington will be hoping his side do better in the playoffs than the campaign last year where they were defeated in the quarter finals for the second playoffs in a row. Only four teams have a better defensive record than Halifax, so their low-margin style of play may suit the playoffs.
Adam Senior has played every minute of the season for Halifax and the 23-year-old will be an important player in the Shaymen defence ahead of a tough bout.
Betting Prediction: Halifax Double Chance - 1.825
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