National League - Saturday

The National League returns this weekend with a full schedule, with Dover one of the most interesting prospects for punters this weekend.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men have suffered a few bumps in the road lately, but remain a very good side, and should have the beating on a Stockport side who have won just once on the road so far this season.

Looking first at our trusted performance data, Dover have landed a healthy enough 54% share of all shots in their matches, and 55% of on-target efforts. Typically that’s enough to see a team competing on the edge of the play-offs come the end of the season, although lately they have dipped somewhat – with just 49% of shots and 52% of on-target efforts.

Stockport are much weaker though – just a 42% share of shots overall this season, which drops to a divisional worst 37% when looking only at their last six matches. They have been poor going forwards, and brittle at the back, ranking 22nd for shots taken, 22nd for Shots Faces.

Recent form has mirrored that – with six defeats in their last eight matches, including the 2-0 FA Cup reversal at York in front of the cameras on Saturday. Going forwards, they have also failed to score in five of their last six now.

Dover suffered a standout set-back when losing 4-0 at Aldershot, and it’s also true they haven’t put in their best performances at home this season, but they got back to winning ways at Weymouth at the weekend and should have enough to give home fans a good result this weekend.

Our other pick this weekend is a little more speculative, with Eastleigh worth a small bet to win at out-of-shape Woking.

The hosts begun the season in scintillating form – winning seven of their first eight games. We wrote at the time that they were significantly outrunning their performances, and so it proved as they are not without a win since August – albeit drawing seven of the ten since then. They have also faced the inconvenience of an FA Cup replay with Ebbsfleet – another sign of their failings given how poor they are.

Eastleigh have the same mid-week replay dilemma to contend with, but are at least in better form – just one defeat in 10 now and they are well on the up after a slow start to the season. At 21/10 they are worth a dabble with William Hill.

Recommended Bets

2pts Dover to beat Stockport at 5/6 (General)

1pt Eastleigh to beat Woking at 2/1 (General)

#Football