Sunday, May 20th, 2012
The Blue Square Premier continues it’s hectic start to the season with a round of Tuesday night fixtures.
A fast start at this level is essential, with encouraging beginnings for Luton Town and more surprisingly so far, Eastbourne Borough.
Tuesday night’s matches offer one or two good betting opportunities, with the bookmakers still struggling to get to grips with off season changes. The non-league scene changes very quickly when some owners inject serious money, so now is the time to take advantage.
The Gateshead v Fleetwood match offers a chance like this. Don’t worry too much about Fleetwood losing to Luton at the weekend. They have invested in plenty of proven Conference (and above performers) and they look good value at 7/4 with Stan James to win against a side who may be full time, but who only just stayed up.
Luton should continue their 100% record at home to Newport County, who are finding the step up more difficult having not hugely invested in new players. The Hatters are best priced 8/15 with 888 Sport to make it four wins out four, and should do so. Crawley are priced at 4/9 with Betfred to beat promoted Bath City, who have shown well, but might find the extra fitness proving crucial late on.
SPORTNEWBASE PICKS: Fleetwood Town, Luton Town, Crawley
Of the other sides involved, Wimbledon should win at Rushden, but the Diamonds ought to be capable of better form than shown so far, while new Histon manager David Livermore, the former Millwall and Hull player, takes charge for the first time at home to Eastbourne Borough. That might rouse Histon into earning a draw against the Sussex side but makes the game difficult to predict.
Other fixtures: Darlington v Grimsby, Hayes & Yeading v Forest Green, Mansfield v Kettering, Southport v Altrincham, Tamworth v Cambridge United, Wrexham v Kidderminster Harriers, York City v Barrow