Non-League Previews: Stags marching on to title

13Apr 2013

Betfair

Alan Alger is opposing the tired legs of a team that have already played five times this month, with a club that look to be heading back to the Football League. He also tips a vital three points for Stockport and an away win for Kidderminster Harriers...

Braintree Town v Mansfield Town

Mansfield Town can secure the Blue Square Bet Premier title on Saturday if they win and nearest pursuers Kidderminster Harriers slip-up at Wrexham. The Stags travel to Essex to take on Braintree Town, who will be playing their 10th game in just 23 days. Alan Devonshire's side have managed to win three of those previous nine matches, but tired legs have been evident in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Newport County and Thursday night's goalless draw at Dartford.

Braintree's home form is ranked 18th in the division and while Mansfield have certainly been a greater force in their home matches, you have to expect them not to slip up here with the finish line in sight.

Paul Cox has seen his side march to the title with a spurt of form which mirrored last season's post-Christmas challenge. This time there hasn't been a runaway rival to chase down and 57 points from a possible 66 since the turn of the year looks like it will be enough to secure automatic promotion.

They have been the type of team to exploit any physical weakness in their opponents and their defence has kept 13 clean-sheets in 27 matches against teams outside the top 10 in the table. Expect them to put all the pressure on Kidderminster's evening kick-off in north Wales with a convincing victory.

Recommended Bet

Back Mansfield Town to win @ 1.6

Wrexham v Kidderminster Harriers

This early-evening live game could decide the title, but not in the way that both teams taking part would have wished. If Mansfield have won at Braintree earlier in the day, then Wrexham can secure the title for the Stags by avoiding defeat against second-placed Kidderminster.

The Harriers have the best overall record against their fellow top-five teams, which bodes well for a likely berth in the play-offs. This fixture could be repeated in that end of season shoot-out and the away side enter it in much better form. Steve Burr's team have won 21 of their last 25 league games, in the same period Wrexham have won just half of their 24 fixtures.

The average age of the Red Dragons' side is higher than most in the division and could certainly have had an impact on their run-in. Wrexham have failed to score in four of their last six games, while Kidderminster have scored at least two in each of their last eight matches. Although the title race looks likely to end in Mansfield's favour in the next few days, Kidderminster can keep it alive here with a win.

Stockport County v Dartford

For a team that finished 18th in League One in the 2008/09 season, the last few years have been disastrous for Stockport County. They are already on their third manager of the season as former Gateshead boss Ian Bogie has taken on the task to prevent them suffering a third relegation in four seasons.

Their last remaining home game is against part-time Dartford on Saturday. The Kent outfit have been in action three times in the last week, while Stockport have had a whole week of rest since a hard-fought and vital three points at Alfreton last Saturday. County have only won three of their last 10 league games but take on a Dartford team who are not only tired, but also have a poor away record.

Tony Burman's team may have won the Blue Square Bet South play-offs last year but are almost assured a top-half finish in their first Premier season. That's highly commendable but hasn't prevented the kind of away form that would see them battling relegation. The home side have their safety to play for and that should be enough of an incentive to see off a very tired away team.

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