After the excitement of last Saturday’s FA Trophy games, attention switches back to the National League title race this coming weekend.
Wrexham are currently top of the table on goal difference from Macclesfield Town, but just seven points covers the top nine teams with a third of the season remaining. The North Wales side head into Saturday’s home game against Halifax Town full of confidence having recorded an eight game unbeaten run.
Many online bookmaker and odds websites make Wrexham the favourites to win the game, although it would be unwise to write off Halifax. The Shaymen are desperate for points in their battle to avoid relegation and they managed to secure a 0-0 draw when the teams met in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Macclesfield host bottom of the table Guiseley on Saturday hoping to end a run of four games without a win. Town had looked well-placed to secure promotion just a few weeks ago, but their form has tailed off over the past few weeks. However, Guiseley have won just four league games this season and the home side are strongly fancied to get back on track at Moss Rose.
Third-placed Aldershot Town face a difficult looking test as they travel to face Dagenham & Redbridge. Town are unbeaten in their last seven games, but the Daggers drew 1-1 at Aldershot during October and will fancy their chances of victory on their own patch.
Tranmere Rovers travel to Leyton Orient boasting a five game unbeaten run and they were impressive 3-0 winners against Ebbsfleet United over the weekend. Orient have won their last including an impressive 4-3 victory at Dover Athletic in the FA Trophy on Saturday and they are another side in need of points towards the bottom of the table.
Sutton United were surprisingly knocked out of the FA Trophy by Brackley Town, but that defeat could prove to be a blessing in disguise. United are just four points off behind top spot, but they have games in hand on all the teams above them. Saturday’s trip to sixth-placed Dover won’t be easy and both sides will probably be happy to take a point from the game.
Bromley, Boreham Wood and AFC Flyde remain on the fringes of the promotion race, but the latter pair face difficult looking away trips. Boreham Wood’s opponents Eastleigh are unbeaten in their last seven games, while Gateshead haven’t lost in their last eight and will undoubtedly be a tough test for Fylde. Bromley should keep their promotion bid on track as they welcome Maidstone United to The H2T Group Stadium.
The standout game at the bottom end of the table takes place at Barrow as they face fellow strugglers Hartlepool United. Both sides are just above the drop zone and in desperate need of three points as they battle to avoid relegation.
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