Season Outrights
5/10 Conference Premier – Winner – Bristol Rovers 2.50
It sure is tight at the top and the league looks very much open to anyone. Barnet who have lead proceedings for so long have let an 11 point lead slip. Barnet fans seem to think a Play off place could even be at risk now and even though I would not go that far, they appear to have ruined their automatic promotion hopes.
Grimsby have shot up from nowhere and are main challengers in my eyes to Bristol Rovers. Grimsby are a good side but are some way off Rovers and even Barnet in quality of player in my opinion.
Macclesfield are still in the mix and while it would be incredible if they happen to win the league it is unlikely with their small squad and limited budget to improve any further, on what has been an excellent season.
Bristol Rovers for me have the best squad in the league and the most fire power up front and in midfield. Rovers this week have signed a vital player – Chris Lines. Lines used to play for the Gas Heads a few years ago higher up the divisions and was excellent for them. A player who is a level or two above the Conference and will contribute to the side hugely in midfield where they required improvement.
Also back this weekend and who hasn’t got going due to injury is Jermaine Easter. Easter has come in from Millwall in the Championship and is a League One level player at least. If Easter can get fit for the rest of the campaign he is likely to be prolific in front of goal.
5/10 Conference Premier – To Finish in Bottom Half – Kidderminster 2.10
Kidderminster are currently 10th in the league and were in Play Off contention around Christmas. The off the field problems have finally taken its toll and results have suffered and show no sign of improving.
Below Kidderminster who currently sit on 52 points are Chester (also 52 points) who have one game in hand and have registered good results recently as they look to finish the season strongly.
Lincoln City (51 points) who have two games in hand over Kiddy and seems to have finally got through their dreadful run of form after beating Dover away last weekend.
Altrincham (49 points) who have one game in hand but have been consistent throughout the season and will continue to pick up points here and there.
Dover (47 points) who have three games in hand over Kidderminster, Dover have been excellent this season but have slowed down, the games in hand will may well be key.
Torquay (46 points) also have three games in hand but seem to have problems on and off the field which may mean a difficult end to their season.
Wrexham (46 points) have their FA Trophy Cup final to look forward to. Little to play for in the league but the players will be looking to perform well and earn a starting spot at Wembley. The Welsh side may be six points behind Kidderminster but have a massive four games in hand. You would expect them to make up considerable ground.
Kidderminster need three of these sides to overtake them for our bet. I believe Chester, Lincoln and Wrexham will finish higher, while Altrincham and Dover have a decent chance too. Kiddy seem to be falling apart. The performance in the week losing to Eastleigh despite taking the lead was described by one fan as “the worst second half performances I’ve ever watched”. Before this game, Kidderminster hadn’t found the net in four games, and just once in six. The rut does not appear to be one that will end- with confidence being the lowest in years.
