National League – Head to Wales for a shortening price

Both these clubs have had massive problems to contend with off the field recently.

Hartlepool were taken over towards the end of last season and that’s bought a bit of stability to the club. They had a decent summer, the pick of the signings being Liam Noble from Forest Green Rovers. The Monkey Hangers won their first game of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 win against Maidenhead, they had only lost one game previously with three matches ending all square.

The Daggers on the other hand have lost most of their squad that finished in 11th place last season. Ex England caretaker manager, Peter Taylor has assembled a young squad, making the numbers up with loan signings, but they have found the going tough so far this season, picking up just one point against 10 man Maidenhead.

I was expecting Hartlepool to be much shorter in the betting than they are, they can be backed at 193/100 with Marathon. With Hartlepool already registering three draws though I’m playing it a bit safer with Draw No Bet at 111/100 also with Marathon.

Havant & Waterlooville v Salford City | Saturday 25th August 2018, 15:00

Havant’s last two games have both been 4-3 thrillers with late victories. The first one was a loss at Dover, then last Saturday they scored in the 94th and the 96th minute at Braintree to record their first win in the National League.

After conceding seven goals in their last two games I’d imagine Adam Rooney and co, buoyed by their first two wins of the season, will fancy their chances of a few goals here.

Salford undoubtedly possess enough firepower to cause the Hawks plenty of problems, but they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, conceding eight times in their five games. The only game that hasn’t seen three goals or more was a tough opening game against Leyton Orient.

You can probably guess where I’m going here, odds of 21/25 for Over 2.5 Goals looks generous with Marathon.

Wrexham v Bromley | Saturday 25th August 2018, 15:00

Wrexham continued their excellent start to the season with a 3-1 win at Eastleigh on Saturday. Eastleigh’s goal was the first goal the Dragons have conceded this season.

It’s still early, I know, but the Welsh side sit on 13 points at the top of the table after winning 4 and drawing 1 of their opening 5 games. They looked to have solved last seasons troubles in front of goal with Mike Fondop-Talum (second best name in the National League, behind Nortei Nortey of Dover) looking particularly sharp in front of goal.

They still have Nicky Deverdics to come in (made two appearances from the bench) who should add plenty going forward too.

Bromley slipped away at the end of last season and just missed out on a play off spot. They lost a couple of key players in the summer in Louis Dennis and Josh Rees who both moved to League One clubs.

The Lillywhites started this season with two losses and two draws before gaining their first three points of the campaign at home to Gateshead on Saturday. Both the games they have lost so far have come on their travels and I fully expect that trend to continue here.

You can get a home win at 109/100 with Marathon, that’s a price that has shortened whilst I’ve been writing this and I think it will continue to shorten.