Lower League Treble Saturday 2nd March – Saddlers Can Ride Off Into Sunset

As the season begins to draw to a close I find myself becoming more depressed by the day so I’m starting to savour what’s left of my lower league predictions. As of this Saturday there will be just 8 weeks remaining in the football league before we hit the playoffs and in that time everything could change. Let’s make the most of it while we can with these 3 little gems:

Get your accumulators on with Bet365
£200 in free bets and up to 100% bonus on winning accas when you join

Walsall vs Shrewsbury

The title in League One is up for grabs for any one of 9 teams and the 9th and most surprising of those is Walsall. They have made a stealth like approach on the playoffs and go into this game with the best form in League One. They could yet feature in the promotion battle as they sit only 10 points off league leaders Doncaster despite sitting in 9th place in the league.

Shrewsbury are a difficult team to beat though, there’s no doubt about that. They’ve lost only 1 of their last 5 games on the road and picked up an impressive win against Tranmere on their last outing. But if we look back overall this season at Shrewsbury’s away record, it doesn’t fill me with confidence. Their only 3 wins away from home this season have been in their last 5 games. In total they have drawn 6, won 3 and lost 8 of their 17 away games this season; hardly awe inspiring.

Walsall come into this game with 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 games. 3 of these games have been against teams above them in the league and a 1-2 victory away at league leaders Doncaster demonstrates just how capable they are of challenging this year. At home they’re undefeated in 8 games and I fully expect them to extend that run today.

Walsall have won the last 3 consecutive meetings between the two clubs at The Banks’s Stadium and their last loss against Shrewsbury here came in 1993.

BET: Walsall win – 19/20 Bet365

Aldershot vs Gillingham
Aldershot may well have progressed in the league recently dragging themselves out of the bottom 2 with a few good results. Today however, they welcome the league leaders to The Recreation Ground in what will not be an easy affair.

The Gills are nigh on unbeatable away from home this season. In 16 away league games, they have been beaten just once at a now out of sorts Torquay United and have won 11 of these 16 games.

Aldershot may well have been gathering pace recently, but they could struggle today. 3 wins in their last 5 home league games have seen them move 19th in the league, albeit only 2 points clear of the drop zone. However, these 3 wins have been against some of the worst form sides in the league.

Wins against Torquay who are dropping down the league at some knots, Plymouth who currently sit bottom of the league and Fleetwood who seem to have lost their way don’t really encourage me into betting on the underdogs here today.

Aldershot haven’t beaten Gillingham in their last 6 meetings with The Gills picking up 4 wins and 2 draws in these 6 games. With 18 places separating the two teams in the league, I just can’t ignore a price of 21/20 for the leaders to add 3 points to their tally today.

BET: Gillingham win – 21/20 Bet365

Cheltenham vs AFC Wimbledon

Cheltenham have lost fewer home league games than any other League Two side. Along with Burton Albion, they have lost just 2 home league games this season picking up 9 wins in the process, form which sees them occupy the last playoff spot at the minute.  Though they may have been slightly out of sorts recently with too many draws, they should comfortably see off a struggling Wimbledon side today.

Wimbledon currently sit 2nd from bottom of League Two and are in serious danger of relegation this season. Their form has been hit and miss to say the least and they only seem capable of just about picking up a win over bottom half teams this season.

Cheltenham may well have drawn for of their last 5 league games at home, but they’re also undefeated in 14 home league games and if anything, they’re due a win after some unlucky results recently. They have the quality to challenge for promotion this season and a win against struggling Wimbledon today will certainly help their cause.

Cheltenham won the return leg 1-2 back in October 2012 and I expect them to seal the double over Wimbledon today.

BET: Cheltenham win – 4/6 Bet365